Eighteen Charged In Big Fraud Case

TACOMA - Eighteen people have been charged with money laundering, conspiracy and other crimes in what prosecutors describe as a multimillion-dollar welfare- and insurance-fraud ring.

All pleaded not guilty yesterday in arraignments in two sets of Pierce County Superior Court proceedings - one for the 11 men, the other for the seven women, many related to each other.

In one case, detectives seized more than $85,000 in cash and some diamonds, and another defendant was found driving a Rolls Royce, deputy prosecutor Michael Sommerfeld said.

Those arraigned were Sylvia Stevens, Debra Ristick, Elizabeth Ristick, Sandra Stevens, Mary Ristick, Susie Stevens, Rita Steve, Steve Ristick, Walter Ristick, Blancy Steve, Ron Steve, Michael Steve, John Steve, Jack Johnson, Tony Stevens, Sonny Lee Ristick, and two men named Lee Ristick.

All were arrested Friday in raids involving about 170 law-enforcement officers. Several others remain at large.

Items seized in the raids include three mobile homes, five Rolls-Royces, two Corvettes, one Jaguar and one Mercedes-Benz.