Businesswoman Peggy Newton, who faces 25 counts of fraud and forgery in connection with embezzlement from her downtown Joplin business, Evergreen and Amber describes herself as "scared" and "greedy" in letters and Facebook messages examined by the Joplin Police, FBI, and Secret Service during their investigation.
The letters go into some specifics, sources close to the investigation tell The Turner Report, and they show a distraught Mrs. Newton, wife of Joplin jeweler Brian Newton,admitting that she is the cause of problems with her business and family and asking family members and her business partner for forgiveness.
In a Facebook message examined by investigators,Mrs. Newton explained $400,000 in credit card charges by saying "The bad thing is I have done so much wrong, I can't even remember all of it. The credit cards I used for personal items were the Chase, American Express, Discover, and Bank of America, and I was an authorized user, but I took advantage of that privilege."
The Facebook message was sent before it was discovered, according to the same sources, that there were a dozen other credit cards, allegedly created by Mrs. Newton.
Mrs. Newton added, "My whole life has been telling lies; it has always been easier for me to lie than to tell the truth."
In a March 18, 2009, letter to her business partner, Mrs. Newton indicated her own "reckless behavior" was responsible for the financial conditions that forced Mrs. Pyle to declare Chapter Seven bankruptcy four months later.
"I am so stupid," Mrs. Newton wrote. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
In that letter, Mrs. Newton indicated that her "reckless behavior" had causwed a rift in her family and that though her husband was standing by her, the rest of his family had different feelings. "Basically, they are done with me and I really understand why. I don't blame them. How selfish of me. My bad, reckless behavior has made Brian suffer and be stuck in the middle."
"Will I ever overcome my guilt?" she wrote.
Investigators also examined a letter addressed by Mrs. Newton to her husband, business partner, and three other people in which she says she needs help and indicates she can't help spending money anywhere she can get her hands on it.
"I have lied since I can remember. I don't do it to hurt anyone intentionally; I just do it."
She adds, "I want to stop, lying, hiding, and sneaking."
Mrs. Newton waived the reading of the grand jury indictment Feb. 14, and pleaded not guilty to 25 counts of fraud and forgery during a 10-minute arraignment in federal court in Springfield.
After the government made no detention request, Mrs. Newton was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Mrs. Newton, 38, allegedly bilked Mrs. Pine out of approximately $300,000, allegedly forging Mrs. Pine's signature on various checks, creating credit card accounts in Mrs. Pine's name, and buying personal items with company money.
Previous Turner Report posts on Peggy Newton can be found at this link.
This girl clearly needs help. Perhaps the judge will take mercy on.........us........and put her behind bars for a period of time.
ReplyDeleteShe suffers from SBS. It is an unfortunate, progressive disease that gets worse and more controlling over time.
ReplyDeleteSBS usually makes rapid progress when family and friends continue to encourage and tolerate it.
The only cure for Spoiled Bitch Syndrome for the Lohans and Newtons in this world may be a little lockup time from society.
She's hot!
ReplyDeleteOh shut up. She's a "gamer" and she is clearly gaming the prosecutor, her lawyer, her family, and anyone else that will listen. She's dangling for rehab instead of jail. Hey, it works for the rich so why not?
ReplyDeleteThe beat goes on.
I would tend to agree with you.
ReplyDeletePeggy has always had a knack for shifting blame and/or focus away from her and is very good at it.
However this time there is too much of a paper trial to shift blame or focus.
The next logical step for her, now that she is backed into a corner, is to admit guilt and use the sympathy card to gain compassion for her new found illness.
She is basically shifting the attention away from the well documented actions and drawing you a victim picture as the foundation for her excuse.
This life long disease she has will now be the focal point for her wrong doing and the lawyer will play on it to her get her minimal sentencing.
I can see it now; "Ladies and Gentleman of the jury Mrs. Newton is sick and couldn't control her actions. She is not responsible for her uncontrollable lies and theivery. You must find her innocent of all charges. She is a victim of disease and she needs counseling and therapy not jail time."
That's like saying a pedophile shouldn't be convicted for molesting young children! It's a disease and they can't control their actions.
I don't want her on the street anymore than I want a pedophile living in my neighborhod.
Convict her and give her plenty of time for jail house counseling! Good use of our tax dollars if you ask me.
What is sad is she took one of her best friends down this same path of destruction.
ReplyDeletePeggy herself comes from a good family. You should not be so critical in judging. Prayer is the answer and no matter what you think God loves her too still!
ReplyDeleteThat is her only saving grace. She comes from a good family they love her and GOD does love her except, he isn't very pleased with her.
ReplyDeleteShe admitted that she is a liar and a thief and that violates 2 of the TEN COMMANDMENTS! GOD will forgive her for those when she repents. HOWEVER.....
Greed is a nasty thing!! Oh that's one of the 7 deadly or Cardinal sins. Now to be forgivin for that is going to take a lot more than "I'm Sorry"!
Wouldn't want to be in her shoes when her judgment comes.
No one but God knows Peggy's heart and the relationship they have. I pray Peggy has asked for forgiveness and turned from that sin. We all are sinners....not one sin is any worse than the other!
ReplyDeleteIf these letters are "true" then they would have been in the indictment as admission of guilt. Anyone can fake a Facebook page, right mike pine??? And people can also manipulate the books to their own personal advantage, right mike pine CPA of Dallas ? Truth will come out in court! If Peggy newton is guilty then Diane pine is guilty too because they both did the same! Diane pine didn't lose her home, she is still living in it! Diane has many skeletons in her closet! She became lovers with their so called bookkeeper, carolyn bennett! Diane also is a known druggie and drunk. Her daughter being friends with a local judges daughter has many benefits, right Shannon? Peter Edwards , Dianes atty, the little weasel has been giving this info to the turner report for his own personal gain! He thinks he is going to make a name for himself. Hahaha! I can think of a few names to call him! Diane , have you ever been arrest for forgery??? Diane, the truth will come out and your plumber family is going to be so very embarrassed , especially Barrett! Poor Barrett the man who has his own issues is gotta deal with more of mommy in law dearests crap! Good thing he's a plumber bc it getting deep in there!
ReplyDeletePRAYING FOR YOU PEGGY!
ReplyDeletePlease - If anyone knows Brian Newton he probably taught her.
ReplyDeleteI have known Brian Newton since Parkwood High School - he was a Bully, a Drug Addict, and a Con Artist.
His Dad Funny\Bunny has Bailed his Butt out multiple Times in the Past.
Does anyone remember Funny\Bunny Newton not letting his son in his store for several Years - WONDER WHY - - He had to drive and deliver Beer in Joplin, while Funny\Bunny Forgave him for all the things he did - -
No the Apple of the Newton Tree does not fall to far away, why do you think she was paying his Bills, his Car Payment - - He knew where the money came from - Why isn't good old "Brian" in Jail too?
What's going on in the case. It is June and nothing has been mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWow. How do any of you really know what happened? You automatically assume Peggy is guilty? Have you been in the court room? Have you seen the evidence? I can't believe the negativity. Peggy is a child of God just like the rest of us and we are not to judge. We aren't Peggy and we aren't Diane. They know what happened as well as God.
ReplyDeleteDo you know for a fact that the news is correct? Do you know for a fact that these reports are telling the truth? Wow.
Two qualities I don't like: a bully or a con-artist. I've known Brian Newton since 7th grade and I've never seen nor heard of him bully or con anyone, and he certainly wasn't a drug addict. Brian was always the first to share his good fortune w/ his friends and others who were less fortunate when it came to material. Always a stand-up, giving guy with great sense of humor and respect for others. His friends will agree, Brian never measured where you came from or what you had, and if you didn't have it he'd share his with you. He was drawn to character
ReplyDeleteand integrity, maybe that's why the post above wasn't a friend of Brian's and felt the need to bash his reputation without merit. Obviously a lot of anger and envy out there, I suggest we keep the opinions within the boundaries of truth. JEP, Class of 76
X2! Brian is a great guy and a great friend to many!!! He would never bully anyone or speak any negativity!!! Whoever wrote that does not know Brian at all!
ReplyDeleteI don't know Peggy but I do know Brian. He's a good person. I've known him for 30 years and I trust him to a tee. I believe he trusted Peggy and she made mistakes that went unchecked. She should do her penance and get help in the spending arena. Just don't tear apart their family because they seem pretty solid as a unit.
ReplyDelete