Steel’s aide faces prison over fraud charge

The bestselling author, whose books have sold 550 million copies worldwide, was left out of pocket after her former aide Kristy Watts fleeced her for $400,000 (£266,000).

In September (09), Watts pleaded guilty in federal court of cashing cheques in Steel’s name, as well as using the writer’s credit cards.

She worked for Steel from 1993 to 2008, when she was accused of fraud and tax evasion.

Watts will be sentenced on 4 February 2010.