TAMPA, Florida – A Florida newlywed was arrested for attempting to cash a $1 million check last month, Hillsborough County, Florida sheriff’s officials said.
Lin Helenda Halfton, a 26-year-old Israilli native was recently married to Richard Rappaport, a 77-year-old Tampa, Florida businessman. Authorities requested information regarding the checks to Rappaport who initially did not want to press any charges against his youthful bride fearing she would be deported if charged. She did not give up after the first attempts did not work out, and eventually was able to cash over $650,000.
Authorities had a second meeting with Rappaport after discovering that checks had successfully been cashed and he indicated he was then willing to cooperate with the case against his new bride. The evidence collected led to an arrest on Monday, December 16, 2019. Halfon’s attorney claims that her and Rappaport, the President of Panther Medical, a medical equipment distributor, love each other and the marriage was legitimate.
Halfon is in jail being held for charges including two counts of money laundering, fraud, and exploitation of an elderly person. She remains in jail and is being held in lieu of $1 million in bail after pleading not guilty to all charges in court on Monday.
