Travel Agency Owner Accused of Defrauding Client in Shocking Scheme – Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice

The proprietor of a nearby travel agency who is charged with swindling several clients out of tens of thousands of dollars was indicted this week for allegedly misappropriating more than $7,700 from a man in Edwardsville.

Eileen Marie Miner, 69, residing at 309 Atlantic Ave., West Pittston, is already confronting theft and fraud-related allegations in over two dozen cases across Luzerne and Lackawanna counties linked to her enterprise, Thompson Tours Travel Agency.

The latest accusations filed by Edwardsville police on Tuesday allege that Miner took $7,780 from a local resident to arrange a journey to Austria and Germany.

The excursion was intended to commence on November 30, but the victim became apprehensive after witnessing Miner’s arrest on the news for purportedly defrauding other customers, police stated.

The allegations contend that Miner accepted the man’s funds but did not fulfill the trip arrangements as promised.

Police charged Miner with one felony count of theft by deceit. Court documents indicated she had not been promptly arraigned on the allegations as of Wednesday.

Miner remains incarcerated at the Lackawanna County Prison, where she is awaiting trial for 17 cases lodged in that jurisdiction.

Last month, Miner faced similar charges for accepting payments for vacations that she did not reserve in Luzerne County. Police claim she defrauded $2,882 from a Wright Twp. resident and another $2,768 from a resident of Wilkes-Barre.

In that instance, Miner informed the victim that the New England bus tour had been canceled due to “some insurmountable issues” and that she “really wish(ed) (she) could clarify it better,” according to police.

Miner’s additional cases in Luzerne County include victims from Hanover Twp., West Pittston, Pittston Twp., and Duryea.

Originally Published: January 8, 2025 at 7:48 AM EST