Jodie Foster's estranged dad gets five years for building scheme

Actress Jodie Foster’s estranged father was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for a home-building scheme that cheated nearly two dozen people out of thousands of dollars.

Lucius Foster, 89, promised 2,000-square-foot modular homes to at least 21 elderly and low-income people throughout the San Fernando Valley. He took their $5,000 down payments but never delivered on the houses.

Foster, who relies on a walker, was convicted Wednesday of 30 misdemeanor charges, 21 counts of grand theft and nine counts of contracting without a license.

Foster tricked clients with lies, war stories and his charm, said Frank Mateljan, spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney.

Van Nuys Superior Judge Gregory A. Dohi had Lucius Foster jailed immediately after he indicated that he planned to continue advertising to customers.

Seven more alleged victims came forward in recent days. The deputy city attorney has not decided whether he will try Foster in those cases.

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-- Esmeralda Bermudez