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Weston Files Charges Against Lore

Weston Public Schools joined with Norwalk today and filed charges against Stacy Lore, the woman accused of misrepresenting herself as an autism therapist. Lore was charged today with larceny in the first degree. Records show she billed the Weston schools $300,000 for her services from 2005 through 2007, said Weston police Det. Carl Filsinger. It is alleged Lore holds none of the credentials she claimed to have held.

"It is very satisfying to hand someone a warrant in a case like this,” said Filsinger. “She showed no remorse when I did it. She knew it was coming.”

Arraignment followed in Norwalk Superior Court. Norwalk attorney William A. Pelletreau, who is representing Lore, argued for minimal bond saying the issue was academic. Lore is unable to make the $75,000 bond stemming from the Norwalk charges that include larceny in the first degree, forgery in the second degree and a count of criminal impersonation. Judge Bruce Hudock did not agree.

“The allegations do affect the amount of the bond,” said Hudock, who set bail for the Weston charges at $75,000.

Handcuffed and wearing a gray sweatshirt, Lore did not make eye contact with those in the gallery. Her family members were not in court today as they had been for previous appearances.

“It is so surreal,” said Margaret Bustell, one of the Norwalk parents who initiated the original investigation. “It has been two years and I still can’t fathom how someone could do this to kids.”

The investigation revealed Lore worked for three additional school districts in Fairfield County a well as ones in New York where she lived. It is not yet known if any of the other districts intend to file charges though Norwalk Det. David Orr said he provided the districts with the information uncovered in his investigation.

“Detective Orr provided me with documents as they became available,” said Filsinger. “The Weston Board of Education has cooperated with me through their counsel.”

Unlike in Norwalk, parents did not approach the police, said Filsinger. He said the Weston schools had hired Lore as a vendor but discharged her when parents complained about unprofessional behavior including missed appointments. He said he has no knowledge that she was ever fingerprinted or a background check was ever done with the assistance of the Weston Police.

“Credit for this entire case goes to the Norwalk Police,” he said. “Especially David Orr. These are special kids and it is the responsibility of the police department to look out for them.”  

At the same time as Lore appeared in court, Gov. Jodi Rell announced she had signed a bill into law that establishes clear standards for behavior analysts who work with children with autism. Previously, Connecticut had no minimum requirements. The law will go into effect in 2012.

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