Dennis SanSeverino is in jail. Trish Rynn, from whom he scammed more than $350,000, put him there. How did she do it? Legwork and persistence.
Lovefraud initially posted this case on our True Lovefraud Stories page in February 2008. The headline is, First he flashes wads of cash, then he steals her home and inheritance. That pretty much sums up what happened to Trish Rynn.
Unfortunately, Lovefraud has heard from plenty of people with similar experiences. They fell in love with the sociopath, trusted him or her, and lost everything. The difference with this case, however, is that Trish Rynn fought back. She reported him to New Jersey law enforcement authorities and actually got him prosecuted. When the case went to trial, SanSeverino pleaded guilty to taking $275,000 from Trish, his former fiancé. He was put on probation and ordered to pay restitution of $2,000 per month. He complied, sort of, for awhile, and then stopped paying—violating the terms of his probation.
Violation of probation
At that point, the authorities probably would have done nothing to force him to pay. That’s when Trish really went into action. She kept calling the guy’s probation officer. She hounded the prosecutor. She wanted the guy to pay—or go to jail.
SanSeverino was ordered to appear for a violation of probation hearing in early February 2008. Trish took off of work to be there, but the case was postponed. This happened multiple times over the next seven months—the case was scheduled, Trish arranged to be there, and the hearing never happened. Finally, the hearing actually took place on September 26, 2008—almost a year ago. SanSeverino didn’t show up and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The guy was a fugitive.
Legal authorities were not exactly energetic in pursuing SanSeverino. But in April 2009, he was pulled over in Pennsylvania on a traffic violation, gave a fake name, and was arrested for falsifying his identity.
About the same time, coincidentally, Trish heard from a woman who met SanSeverino at a casino in Delaware. This prompted Trish to call the New Jersey sheriff’s department handling the case. The officers checked their computers and discovered, to their surprise, that SanSeverino was in custody in Pennsylvania. So after he served his time there, he was sent back to New Jersey. His long-delayed violation of parole hearing took place on July 2, 2009.
Sentenced to prison
SanSeverino tried to talk his way out of going to jail. He acted remorseful. He said he was going to “live in darkness” until he paid Trish back. He needed Trish to forgive him. The judge, Susan F. Maven, didn’t buy the act and sentenced SanSeverino to five years in prison.
Maybe, if the people of New Jersey are lucky, SanSeverino will serve at least half of his sentence. Because the only real benefit of him being in prison is that it may make it difficult for the guy to find new victims.
For Trish, the damage has already been done. In the victim impact statement that she read in court, Trish said,
“I am 47 years old now and I am dead broke. I am still paying attorney fees from all of this and it is almost three years later. I am a single mother. I worked as a massage therapist for the past 20 years of my life and truthfully, I am physically ready to retire from my work because I am hurting and I have injuries to my shoulder and nerve damage. But I cannot retire because of what this man did to me.”
Trish also said she was angry because her daughter’s life has been sidetracked as well. With her inheritance, Trish could have sent her daughter to college. SanSeverino took the money, and her daughter dropped out.
Moral victory
I don’t know if any victim of a sociopath ever wins a satisfying victory. I beat my ex-husband, James Montgomery, in court. The judge found him guilty of fraud and awarded me all the money he took from me—$227,000—plus $1 million in punitive damages. I was never able to collect my judgment and ended up declaring bankruptcy anyway.
Still, I think it is valuable to pursue justice. Sometimes our efforts get the con artists off the street, at least for a little while, so that maybe someone else is saved. Sometimes the predators end up with a record, which, if a future victim is smart enough to investigate, also may prevent the sociopath from pulling another scam.
But mostly we need the moral victory. We did not roll over. We fought. And even if we did not recover the money or property that were taken from us, we can feel justly proud for recovering our self-esteem.
Yea, Donna, it IS a “victory OF SORTS”—having been in court battles with a psychopath con person (over a con-busienss deal) and my husband having been in a 7-year court battle that ended up taking 7 years of his life, and ALL THE REST of his money as well as the TIME that could have been spent MORE PRODUCTIVELY, and still “losing” 100%—due to the trickery and LIES of the psychopaths, I’m not sure when it is wise to chase a “bad investment” with GOOD money/time.
I think each individual case has to be looked at by the person who is the victim and only they can decide if they want to spend the resources they have left (sometimes NONE) persuing “justice” or if it is more important to spend those resources and time on healing yourself.
I recently lost the chance to recoup the loss of “int4ellectual property” that belonged to my husband from a major corporation which took his patent and used it for 25 years, due to the “way the courts” work—wasn’t about right or wrong—but since I did it for my late husband, to finish up what he had started and I knew would have persued it to his last breath and BEYOND I continued the suit for another 5 years after his death—corporations live forever, but people die, and because he wasn’t alive to give direct testimony, and though we had documented proof he owned the patent (he tried to sell it to them but they declined to buy it) then used it….buit, in the end, they ‘won”—was it worth it? Nah, it wasn’t, but since I didn’t expect any “justice” I wasn’t disappointed anyway—besides, it wasn’t my ox that was gored…it was my husband’s. He never did give up on wanting JUSTICE. He never got it either, but I think of all the time, effort, emotion, money and grief he poured into trying to get it for DECADES…was it worth it? Not to me, but I saw things differently than he did about that.
Sometimes, I too want “justice” against the Ps, but other times I see that I am better off just spending that effort on ME, and letting go of the resentment, letting go of the unfairness and just accepting what IS. But, each of us have to make our decisions, i think, based on what is best for us at the time. I do applaud the small percentage of “winners” that get a “sort of” victory, but I am no longer grieving over what I didn’t get, just accepting that I am the ultimate winner because I am recovering, healing!
Thank you for this article, I think it gives us all something to think about. (((hugs))))
This article is for ME! This is my story. This is what happened to me without the happy ending. I owned my home that i loved and had worked on and paid for by myself through sheer hard work. When I received an inheritance from my Grandmother I went to a solicitor to claim it. I was targeted by the psychopath solicitor. I ended up in a relationship with the solicitor and LOST MY HOME AND MY INHERITANCE within 18 months. They changed the judge just before my case… and in court, no press were allowed, I was told I was not allowed to write anything about him or his family EVER again. I refused to give up. When I wrote to the ombudsmen and the politicians and newspapers he had me arrested and thrown in the nuthouse. Whe I continued my battle he threw me in jail. I was followed and harrassed and bullied and threatened that I’d be killed if I didn’t leave the state. I stayed, and fought. My lawyer who represented me against him was a good friend of his! I had no-one but my young son who stood by me in the end.
In the end I fought for another seven years. Thru the courts and thru poverty and threats on my life.
He was never charged and still targets vulnerable women today. He is a billionaire now and has kids all over the place.
The cops are on his payroll.
I fought in the SUPREME courtand had my name cleared and got all the charges dropped.He was never charged with anything EVER.
I stayed out of a relationship for seven years.
Then in walked the p dentist with my favourite book in his hands, quoting it ad naseum, “mans search for meaning” by Victor Frankl.
I am alive.
But for me today, my GREATEST VICTORY IS THAT I HAVN”T KILLED THE SOLICITOR OR THE DENTIST. I AM SERIOUS!!!
If i had killed them I would be in prison. This is because i am NOT a psychopath and would probably fail at my attempt to kill as i am not cunning enough . And if I did succedd i would be bragging to the world how I finally cleaned the streets of the scum of the earth!!
Instead i am broke, living in poverty, painting psychopaths, healing on love fraud and i am a (quote oxy), “loud mouthed old broad”. I am resentful and cynical and if a bloke says “i love you” (unless its my son) I can’t stop laughing for days! But i am FREE! I am NOT IN PRISON BORED OUT OF MY BRAIN,CLEANING OTHER PSYCHOPATHS SHIT UP AND TRYING TO HIDE FROM A FIGHT!
I am free to be a bloody bitch to whoever I want, so long as I don’t kill em.
And I would never say any of that to anyone in my life, not even my son, but on love fraud i will scream it at the top of my lungs “I AM NOT IN PRISON!!” TOWANDA!!!
No amount of money would ever bring true “justice” to my kids and I. Nothing will ever make us whole again- too much damage was done. We can all go on to lead happy, satisfying lives, but there will always be a not quite healed crack deep down in our souls that will trigger every so often…even when we, ourselves, think we’re “over it.” But knowing that he is in prison and UNABLE to hurt another child or another mother while he is in is very, very satisfying.
I was talking to a friend today. It’s scary to me how few of us actually want revenge. He was surprised too. I explained that we are fearful.
Donna:
Thanks for this article…..
But mostly we need the moral victory. We did not roll over. We fought. And even if we did not recover the money or property that were taken from us, we can feel justly proud for recovering our self-esteem.
There is something deep in my soul that feels we can’t just sit and roll over!
The fight is an outlet to grow, productively and allow the anger to transfer into righting a wrong.
You all know how I feel about this……and I will never be walked over…..I allowed it for 28 years……NOW IT”S MY TURN!
I am always thrilled to see a person who is vindicated and fights and never allows a S to run and hide……..get away with all the crap and destruction…..then just be happy they are out of OUR lives……they move on to another victim…..it doesn’t become the ‘if I don’t see it, it’s not happening effect’…..THAT”S JUST PURE IGNORANCE.
I think we owe it to the world to hunt them down and let them know WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY! YOU FUCKED WITH THE WRONG PERSON……..Rise above them….and FIGHT! Call on our ‘inner Sociopaths’ and use their tactics against THEM! Finally!
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS WE CAN FIGHT BACK……EXPOSE…..and Protect ourselves and our families.
It takes an immense amount of work and energy…..BUT……so does grieving and anger…..may aswell do both at the same time!
EMPOWER OURSELVES!!!!!
SO….I raise my glass to all the sociopath warriors here on Lf and beyond……..
What’s right is right, and whats wrong is wrong!
GO GETEM!!!!!!
XXOO
ERINB:
YOU ARE MY HERO!
“I think we owe it to the world to hunt them down and let them know WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY! YOU FUCKED WITH THE WRONG PERSON—..Rise above them”.and FIGHT! Call on our ’inner Sociopaths’ and use their tactics against THEM! Finally!THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS WE CAN FIGHT BACK—EXPOSE”..and Protect ourselves and our families.”
Spoken by the words of a true survivor of a psychopath’s sustained abuse!
My post doesn’t have to do with a court victory bc the SP I was involved with didn’t rob me financially”..thank goodness he didn’t get the chance. Although I’m certain that is what he wanted from the onset.
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I believed every word the SP in my life kept telling”.there wasn’t another woman, I was making up crazy warped thoughts in my mind”.always thinking! Never mind that I saw call after call and text after text on his cell phone bill to the same number, and all of the sudden he had no time to do the things we once did”..just too busy with work and his kids and if couldn’t understand that”.too bad. Then he eventually smartened up and got another SIM card so that he could talk to her undetected. One that she paid for. When I saw it in his car, he told me it was his cousins”.whom by the way, he never saw!
Then when things got ugly and we were on and off, I still made these incredible excuses for him. No matter how horrible he spoke to me or treated me, he was still calling and texting saying that he loved me. I just had to understand. And so I did”.I kept telling myself that something is just horribly wrong in his life. He used to remember every word we said to one another, now he couldn’t remember the last time he saw me. What in the world could possibly be wrong? Whatever it was I wanted so badly to help him. To be there for him, ready when he called bc he promised me his love forever. He MADE me look in his eyes and promise that I would always remember that he loved me”.until the day he would die! He told me to get a different number, so I did, then when I texted him to let him know”.he had the OTHER woman call me and tell me to leave him alone. That I was stalking him and I had no self respect! That he no longer wanted me! It was her that he could not live without. It was the ABSOLUTE darkest day of my life. I have NEVER been so hurt or humiliated. I tried to contact him to ask him what was going on. But he changed his number. I was totally blind-sided. I never wanted to believe that she existed. And for so long he had lied her away. But now she was real and he wouldn’t even speak to me. He had HER threaten me. How could this be? How can someone who supposedly loved you, not care that you are hurting? How can they kick you in the stomach and walk away without saying even one word? And worst of all, looking back at my words and actions – it appeared that I might really be some physco chick? Maybe I am the crazy one???!!!
But no, I now know that I’m not. He took a completely intelligent, normal, healthy and sane person (me) and drove me to think I was crazy. He left me grasping for the straws of reality and trying to find the person I was before he came into my life. I realize now that I am not at all crazy. Today I took the advice of a few others and went to the library to check out some additional resources on a narcissist, sociopath, antisocial! They all start to fade into one! And although I wasn’t able to check out the suggested readings bc they were not available (imagine that), there were plenty more on the subject! And the great thing is that the more I learn, the more I know – the more strength I feel. Today I went to the library and researched like the smart and determined woman I am. I realized that he had made me feel helpless. Like I had to accept what he dished out. I didn’t want to even open my mind to think some other way bc I was afraid to know the truth. The truth that I really knew deep down inside. The one that is now saying to me”..you were ENTIRELY too good for him. He is a loser and doesn’t deserve someone of your good heart. And in therapy, my therapist even told me these words: “You want to know a secret. You would have eventually left him anyway bc you know the meaning of the word love. And HE will never be good enough for that love, nor is he capable of love.”
My reflections have made me realize that he was also with me for financial gain. Thinking back he once took me to a new subdivision and suggested that I sell my home and build one with him”.it would have been me paying and him getting a free ride. But he didn’t push, he only planted the seed as to make it look like my idea. He questioned me more than once about my salary and future plans and goals ”“ it was all a game that he was plotting very carefully until he messed up and got caught. My victory was small compared to many of you who have lost so much. For all of you, I am so sorry. I pray that you all will find peace and strength within. I lost my dignity, self-confidence and heart”.but I’m determined to fight my way back and he will never again hurt this very smart young lady!!!!
ErinB….YOU ROCK! When all of this finally came down for me, I did every mean and dirty trick I could to make his life MISERABLE – a living HELL!!!!! And while it did for a while, it just added to all of the dramas that feed his inner drive. And had he ever found out it was me, he would have the satisfaction of getting more of my time and attention….which I decided he no longer deserved!
So for me, I decided to focus on myself and I think I’m worth way more than he will ever be.
But it takes a very couragous person (like you) to stand up for yourself!!!!! And I completely get where you’re coming from! Good luck to you!
Sarasims,
it’s absolutely heart-warming to know that this online community helped save a beautiful soul such as yours from the agony of further loss and betrayal.
And you know what else? if we were all P’s, we could not feel good for each other. Your story would mean nothing to a P. But it means everything to me. I feel hopeful that the modern technology of the internet made it possible for you to avoid the many years of slavery that some of us endured.
I told you all the books would be checked out! It’s fricken amazing. Read the books and then your job will be to spread the word about P’s to as many people as you can, in as many different ways as you can.
Be alert to P behavior in every situation, not just love. Anytime someone is subtly controlling or manipulative or when you hear lies. Be intolerant of that. Learn so much that you can explain it to others convincingly. We need to change the acceptance of hate and envy in our society. It isn’t acceptable anymore.
Skylar, I guess I had been struggling for so many months feeling so lost, so alone, so sick (LITERALLY SICK) with no one to talk to. No one that I felt understood. After my last encounter with him, in desperation I searched on line and landed here. I guess so many things that I was “catching on to” finally made sense. Now I feel like you all are my life line. I feel calm. At peace with the reality. I have finally ACCEPTED what is and what happened. I do still wonder about “the next time” he tries to contact me but not in hopes that it will be another chance for me to make things right with him – like I once did. I WILL NEVER think of him with love in my heart again.
Now my focus is on never letting it happen again. Making myself a stronger person in the future. And YES, I can soooo see where you are coming from about SPs not just being in love relationships.
You ALL (at LF) are truly amazing and I thank God for bringing you all into my life….even if it be in a bit of an unconventional but very technology cool kinda method. 🙂
Quoting The Manipulative Man by Dorothy McCoy, Ed.D. “Women are mesmerized by the forbidden relationship, the exciting stranger who radiates danger and yet seems vulnerable and wounded by life. We want to crush him to our breasts and ease his pain. Simultaneously, we desire the thrill and the exhilarating sting of danger. We want to be THE one woman who by virtue of her unconditional love will transform him into the perfect lover. Yes, we are certain we will succeed where lesser women have failed.”
That is the opening paragraph in Chapter 1…..OMG….she hit the nail on the head!!!! Is it really the same for all of us? My story begins on Page 1 of her book!