CINCINNATI —
A Cincinnati woman who believed she was romantically involved with a Hollywood star has been cleared of all criminal charges after prosecutors accused her of participating in a scam.
Dana Kiner said she truly thought she was in a relationship with actor Shemar Moore, known for his roles in Criminal Minds and The Young and the Restless. After the verdict, Kiner said she felt embarrassed, explaining she became emotionally invested in what she believed was a real connection. “He was my man. I loved him,” she said.
Jurors were tasked with determining whether Kiner intentionally committed fraud or was simply manipulated. She faced five counts of theft and fraud tied to a scheme she says she didn’t realize was fake. Ultimately, the jury found her not guilty on all five counts.
“I just fell in love with somebody I thought was Shemar Moore,” Kiner said. “It turns out it wasn’t, but I fell hard.”
Kiner admitted she ignored red flags but said the scammer’s promises felt convincing. “The offer of marriage—like, I’m 54 and nobody wants to grow old alone. I was just looking for love and got duped,” she shared.
Investigators say the scammer persuaded Kiner to write checks and withdraw cash before the checks bounced. She also sent gift cards worth nearly $7,000.
“How easy is it to believe… it was very easy,” Kiner said. “This person had Mr. Moore’s personal information.”
Although Kiner avoided a criminal conviction, she is still responsible for repaying her bank for the bounced checks, totaling several thousand dollars.
