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TACOMA NEWS-TRIBUNE LAKEWOOD, WASHINGTON 
PHOTO: The man shown above is believed to be the husband/accomplice of the suspect, “Senora Monica” in the Money Cleansing thefts in Lakewood. He went by the name of Jose Fernandez, but the California ID he presented has been verified as false. Lakewood police have released a photograph of a man believed to be the husband of a woman suspected of conning several Hispanic families out of nearly $140,000. The man used the name Jose Fernandez when he got a business license to lease a storefront in the 8600 block of South Tacoma Way, Lakewood police Lt. Heidi Hoffman said Wednesday. However, investigators have now determined that the California identification he presented for the license was false. Police believe he’s the husband and accomplice of “Señora Monica,” who claimed she was able to cleanse money and souls of evil. She advertised that she could remove curses and cleanse money to help people with their religious beliefs, Hoffman said. Several families gave “Señora Monica” money to cleanse and scheduled a final session with her Sunday at the store, Botanica Centro de Consultas. “Señora Monica” never showed up and one of the victims called police. Lakewood police were searching for her and her husband. No new leads were reported in the case Wednesday. Investigators suspect the two might be driving a white Chevrolet Suburban with California license plates or a gray Honda Civic. They also are believed to have three boys, ages 3 to 15. Investigators ask anyone who knows the real identity of “Jose” or “Señora Monica” to contact them at 253-830-5000.
WIRES LAKEWOOD, WASHINGTON Police said a mysterious woman known as Senora Monica offered to spiritually "cleanse" money for at least seven Hispanic families, but it was the families who got cleaned out. The woman vanished with $140,000. The victims told police they met Senora Monica at a swap meet or heard her advertisements on Spanish-language radio. She advertised that she could help with anything from palm reading to infertility. The families turned over their money for "cleansing" and were supposed to get it back Sunday night at the woman's storefront. She never showed, and police say much of the information on the business license for the store is false. They're trying to figure out who she is. She's described as Hispanic, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet tall and 130 pounds, with long black hair.
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