Con artist back in court for probation violation

A woman convicted of scamming a retired judge and his wife out of more than $109,000 is back in court, facing an allegation that she’s not living up to terms of her probation.

Jolene J. Harrell, 46, made a brief court appearance Monday and was scheduled for a probation-violation hearing Aug. 7.

In an affidavit filed last month, Harrell’s probation officer said Harrell should have performed 140 hours of community service so far but had performed only 15.75 hours.

Harrell was sentenced to six months in jail after she admitted stealing from former Judge Charles Rankin and his wife, Polly, between 2003 and 2004.

Harrell is having $20 taken out of her paychecks as she works to pay off what she stole, but the amount of restitution she owes is still in the six-figure range.