N.J. psychic accused of conning grieving widow out of $78K to ‘cleanse’ dead husband’s soul

A New Jersey widow has accused a psychic in Bergen County of bilking her out of $78,500 in cash and property after her husband died, claiming the woman told her his soul needed "cleansing."

The 53-year-old Hawthorne resident filed a lawsuit on Sept. 2 against Holly Stanley Psychic Readings, claiming Stanley gained her trust and then took her life savings.

The woman's husband died of kidney disease in October 2022 at age 65, which left the widow grieving and vulnerable, according to the suit filed in Bergen County Superior Court.

In February 2026, the woman met with Stanley and other psychics at the business on South Farview Avenue in Paramus.

The workers asked the woman to pay $500 for an initial consultation, according to the suit.

"Defendants told (the widow) that her late husband had been cursed while he was alive and that his spirit required urgent cleansing," the suit states.

As the psychics learned more about the woman's financial capacity, their demands increased, according to the complaint.

Stanley and other psychics instructed the woman to fill a box with cash and her husband's belongings, including his watch, necklace, bracelet and an old key to the couple's home, according to the suit.

The woman claims she was instructed to put thousands of dollars in cash into dozens of sealed envelopes.

For several days, the woman was told to meditate over the box. On the fourth day, the psychics allegedly told the woman they would keep the box so they could meditate over the items and "attract her late husband's soul for the purpose of the ritual."

"This was how defendants obtained the large box from (the woman) with the $71,500 in cash from her inheritance and life savings and her husband's personal belongings," the suit says.

The lawsuit claims the psychics asked "invasive questions," such as how much money the woman received when she sold her home. They also demanded another $52,000 in cash for another ritual.

That request alarmed the woman, who then performed an internet search that showed Stanley had been charged in 2016 with theft by deception for allegedly scamming a customer out of $41,000.

The outcome of that case was not available in online court records. Stanley blamed the media for hyping up a minor charge.

According to the lawsuit, the woman demanded her money back, but Stanley refused.

Stanley told NJ.com in an interview on Tuesday that she felt betrayed by the woman, who had come to her for counseling and signed a non-disclosure agreement.

"She did sign a contract to not post on social media, and now my business is being slandered all over the internet," Stanley said.

Stanley said she has many clients who pay her to guide them in the psychic world, but would not divulge a number.

"I'm a licensed business owner. I file taxes. It's not illegal to do what I do," Stanley said. "People pay me with their free will. This (lawsuit) is ridiculous."

Stanley said much of the money went to pay for crystals "from the ocean" worth anywhere from $5 to several hundred dollars or more, depending on the size.

"The crystals are very popular. They bring positive energy," Stanley said.

The psychic said she also charges $125 to $160 an hour for various services, which include meditating over a deceased person's belongings.

Despite the suit, Stanley, 35, said she intends to remain in business in Paramus because she has lived and worked locally for many years.

"I'm not going to run when I'm not guilty. I'm staying here," she said.

The lawsuit accuses Holly Stanley Psychic Readings of fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, unjust enrichment and consumer fraud.

Stanley's attorney, David J. Altieri, denied the claims in the lawsuit.

"This suit has no basis and will be responded to accordingly," Altieri said.

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