Branford Woman Sentenced in Gifting Tables Pyramid Scheme

Correction: The U.S. Attorney’s Connecticut District Office originally reported that Dillon is from Guilford. She is from Branford

A Branford woman who was involved in the shoreline Gifting Tables illegal pyramid scheme was sentenced to half a year of house arrest and a year of probation.

Nancy Dillon, 70, of Branford will serve a year of probation, the first six months of which will be under house arrest. She also has been ordered to perform 100 hours of community services, a $2,000 fine, back taxes, penalties and interest.

According to documents and statements made in court, Dillon participated in the four-level pyramid. New participants had to pay $5,000 to the top-level pyramider and would advance through the ranks by recruiting new members. The top-level pyramider called the “Dessert” would exit the position after receiving $40,000 in cash from eight new participants. Everyone else would then move up.

The money was fraudulently classified as a gift even though it was really taxable income. She pleaded guilty in June to one count of willful failure to file a return, supply information or pay tax.