Philadelphia Woman Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Blind Man

PHILADELPHIA – Tania Thompson-Rapley, 57, of Philadelphia, PA, pleaded guilty to stealing $50,000 from a legally blind Philadelphia homeowner.  Thompson-Rapley falsely pretended to be a lawyer to help the victim pay the real estate taxes on his home.  Thompson-Rapley then assisted the victim secure a bank loan for $50,000.  However, rather than use that money to pay the victim’s real estate taxes, Thompson-Rapley used that money for her own personal expenses.  Thompson-Rapley then sent forged documents to the victim and to the attorneys working for the City of Philadelphia which falsely reported that the taxes had been paid. Thompson-Rapley is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2018 before the Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Livermore.