SHREVEPORT, La. – A man who claimed he was a booking agent for Grammy-nominated singer Keyshia Cole was arrested for stealing money from a college student who wanted to hire Cole for an event. Percy Pittman, 25, of Petal, Miss., was arrested on Jan. 5, in Shreveport, La., after he came to town to collect another payment from the victim.
Caddo Parish sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick said in December 2010, Pittman presented the victim with a contract to hire Cole for an AIDS benefit at an area college.
Chadwick said Pittman represented himself as a booking agent from Hattiesburg, Miss., and claimed to be in contact with Cole and her agent.
Pittman met the victim at the library on Hollywood Avenue in Shreveport, where he was paid $750. The victim also agreed to pay an additional $6,300 to have Cole perform at the event.
Chadwick said an arrangement was made between Pittman and the victim to meet again at the library on January 5 for a $3,000 payment.
“The victim became suspicious of the contract and contacted the Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force to investigate,” Chadwick said. “And during the investigation it was learned that the contract was fraudulent.”
When Pittman arrived at the library to collect the money, the task force was waiting for him, and he was arrested and charged with felony theft. He was transported to the Caddo Correctional Center, where he remains in custody on a $15,276.50 bond.
Chadwick said the district attorney is now reviewing Pittman’s case to see what the next course of action will be.
The task force is also investigating as to whether Pittman may have been involved in other similar scams. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Caddo Parrish Sheriff’s Office at (318)681-0770.
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