Mississippi restaurateurs charged with fraud - allegedly sold $200,000 house they were renting

TUPELO, Miss.

A Tupelo restaurateur couple has been jailed on fraud charges.

Media outlets report that 44-year-old Lisa Alexander and 44-year-old Jesse Alexander were arrested Tuesday and charged with false pretense. They are accused of selling a house they did not own. Additional charges could be added.

The Alexanders opened the 504 Restaurant in downtown Saltillo late last year. The restaurant closed suddenly on Jan. 7, citing a medical emergency for Lisa Alexander.

Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says the Alexanders were renting a $200,000 house. He says they drew up a false contract, sold the house and collected the cash, then absconded.

The couple will appear before Lee County judge Friday to be arraigned on the false pretense charges. The couple also faces charges in a separate case in Louisiana.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/01/22/mississippi-restaurateurs-fraud/79176518/