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Feds join travel agent fraud case Complaints last weekend totaled $35,000, police say By CHRIS BRISTOL ASHLAND -- As the investigation widens, federal prosecutors are considering charges against a local travel agent accused of swindling dozens of globe-trotting clients across the country. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Thomson in Medford confirmed Thursday that he is reviewing the case against Katherine D. Driskell, who closed the Europa-Let Tropical Inn-Let travel agency the day after Ashland police cited her for first-degree aggravated theft. Citing federal press guidelines, Thomson declined to discuss the case in more detail. He did say his office has received reports on the investigation from the Ashland Police Department. Formal charges have not been filed to date. Meanwhile, Ashland police Capt. Mike DeCapua said Thursday that federal agents from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service and Secret Service are exploring "other aspects" of the case. He declined to specify. "This investigation is far from over," he said. "It will continue for a while." Driskell, 38, was cited last month after Ashland police began receiving complaints from travelers who said they were double-billed for lodging on their credit cards or charged for accommodations they never received and in some cases didn't even ask for. Europa-Let Tropical Inn-Let specialized in booking alternative lodgings in Europe and the Caribbean, ranging from cheap London flats to 14th century Scottish castles that cost more than $18,000 a week. Driskell bought the business in 1994. In an interview last year, Driskell boasted that her company was one of the top six "specialty-lodging" businesses in the country. She said Europa-Let fielded 500 to 2,000 inquiries a week, more than half from people in the eastern United States and Europe. DeCapua said police have identified 70 to 80 victims. He declined to cite a specific dollar figure of the losses so far, but did say complaints last weekend alone totaled about $35,000 in credit card fraud. Driskell, of 420 S. Fourth St., Jacksonville, has no criminal record. Several alleged victims have filed small claims actions against her in Jackson County Court. Her attorney, Angie LaNier, did not return a phone call seeking comment. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA