Sherri Papini, a Northern California mom, has failed to pay over $300,000 in restitution following a kidnapping hoax that garnered national attention. An application for wage garnishment has been filed against her and the law firm representing her in a divorce proceeding. Papini pleaded guilty in 2022 to charges related to a faked kidnapping scheme involving her ex-boyfriend. After going missing in 2016 and reappearing claiming to have been abducted by Hispanic women, investigators uncovered evidence of her deception, including DNA that implicated her ex-boyfriend’s relative.
Papini’s criminal defense attorney has stated that she is working with the court and government to make payments as required. An amount of $340,221.23 is being sought through the garnishment action, including a 10% litigation surcharge. Papini’s ex-boyfriend admitted to helping her stage the abduction, branding her, and causing bruises before dropping her off in a different location. Detectives confronted Papini about the hoax in a videotaped interrogation in front of her husband, leading to her arrest in 2022 and her husband filing for divorce.
Prior to her arrest, Papini had unlawfully collected benefits by perpetuating the false kidnapping story to agencies such as the California Victim Compensation Board and the Social Security Administration. At her sentencing, she apologized for her actions and was ordered to pay approximately $309,000 in restitution. The garnishment action now seeks to recover the owed amount to the government. Papini’s law firm, Kinney & Kinney Attorneys at Law, has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
The case of Sherri Papini’s faked kidnapping and subsequent legal troubles have captivated the public with the shocking details of her deception. The multi-state search for her led to a costly investigation before the truth of the hoax was revealed. Despite initial denials, evidence eventually pointed to her involvement in staging the abduction. The intricate web of lies spun by Papini played out over years before unraveling, leading to her guilty plea and subsequent sentencing.
Papini’s failure to pay the restitution owed as a result of the hoax has now resulted in a garnishment action seeking to recover the funds. Her involvement in the fake kidnapping scheme with her ex-boyfriend has had far-reaching consequences, including legal and financial repercussions. The ongoing legal battle and investigation into her actions continue to shed light on the complexities of the case, as well as the impact of her deception on those involved. Despite the public spectacle surrounding the case, the focus now remains on Papini’s compliance with the court’s orders to repay the owed amount.
