Hoax mom's alleged fraud leads to bank suit

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - March 2, 2010 -- A suburban Philadelphia family is suing two financial firms for letting a woman jailed in a kidnapping hoax allegedly swindle $280,000 from a 92-year-old relative.

Bonnie Sweeten called 911 last year to say she and her daughter had been kidnapped. She actually fled to Disney World.

The 38-year-old Feasterville woman being investigated over money missing from Victor Biondino - her ex-husband's grandfather - and others. Those investigations continue.

Biondino's relatives have sued TD Bank and the Vanguard Group for letting Sweeten move $280,000 from his Vanguard account into her employer's bank account.

TD Bank declined comment.

Vanguard spokesman John Woerth says the money could have been recovered if Biondino's family had called police sooner.

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