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Women say Mark Leonard, arrested in Richmond Hill explosion, owes them money

Posted at 11:23 AM, Dec 21, 2012
and last updated 2017-11-06 22:16:32-05

Several women have filed lawsuits in an effort to collect money they claim Mark Leonard owes them.

Leonard was well-known on online dating websites. On datehookup.com, his profile indicated that he was looking for love from women ages 18 to 90.

Leonard's posting said that he had a high regard for the wants and desires of others.

Kimberly Barker said she encountered Leonard online and agreed to let him and a friend handle several home improvement projects.

"They tore my house apart, got my money and took off," Barker said. "My brother and I had to put it back together."

Barker said she got a $27,000 judgment against Leonard.

"I demand my money back," Barker said. "I want justice."

Vicki Peyton also sued Leonard. She said she met him at an Indianapolis bar.

"He was very flashy, drove a new Harley, bragged about how rich he was," Peyton said.

Peyton said she loaned Leonard $3,000 for a gambling trip over the Memorial Day weekend.

"He was going to pay me back on Tuesday," she said.

Peyton claimed that she was never repaid and that the relationship soured.

"I was so embarrassed when it happened. I couldn't work for two days. My friend couldn't reach me," she said. "I was mortified that I was taken advantage of."

Other women who had contact with Leonard wished to remain anonymous.

"Rebecca" said she connected with Leonard on plentyoffish.com, where Leonard's posting referred to him as a "troubadour." In medieval times, a troubadour was fancied by ladies of the royal court for his knowledge of poetry.

Rebecca said Leonard owes her $2,000, dating back to November 2011.

"I never in a million years thought I would be taken and swindled like that," she said. "Who does that to somebody?"

According to court documents, Leonard's current girlfriend, Monserrate Shirley, was aware of his activities with other women but said that it was OK as long as he didn't sleep with them.

Peyton and Barker both had pending court dates in January, but those proceedings will be put on hold until Leonard's murder trial.