July 14, 2005
Detroit Free Press

A Harrison Township man charged with threatening to have one woman assaulted if she broke up with him and swindling two others out of their savings faces at least four years in prison after admitting his guilt in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Robert Pugh, 62, pleaded guilty Wednesday in front of Judge Peter Maceroni to two counts of obtaining money under false pretenses, two counts of using a computer in the commission of a crime and one count of attempted extortion.

Pugh was charged late last year with extortion for threatening to have casino bouncers brutalize his then-girlfriend, a now 53-year-old South Lyon woman, if she broke up with him.

While out on bond in that case, police say he wooed divorcees and widows through Internet dating sites.

Two of the women -- a 69-year-old Garden City woman and a 65-year-old Bloomfield Hills woman -- gave him more than $150,000 total after he gave them a sob story.

Pugh entered the plea when prosecutors agreed to a minimum sentence of 48 months in prison for both cases, which Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor John Latella said exceeded the maximum sentence called for under state guidelines. He faces a maximum of up to 25 years.

One count of conspiracy to obtain money under false pretenses and one count of extortion will be dropped at sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 24.