Police Charge Boutique Hotel Owner

NEWPORT, RI—Ray L. Myerson, 74, of Newport, was charged on Feb. 15 with Obtaining money under False Pretenses. He turned himself in at the police station at 6:30 p.m.

According to the police report, a customer on Feb. 8, 2016 reserved three rooms at the Pearls Boutique Hotel for Oct. 21 through 23, 2016. On Feb. 11, 2016 the customer sent Myerson a check for $1,144.13 as a deposit. Myerson allegedly cashed the check on March 18. Later, on Sept. 24, the customer e-mailed Myerson about sending the balance for the rooms, but Myerson did not respond. Then the customer asked Myerson to cancel the reservations and return the deposit but received no response. On Oct. 2, the victim contacted police.

Myerson was given a summons to appear in court on Feb. 22.