Doctor’s wife wants money from bondsman [The Lima News, Ohio]

Dec. 03--LIMA -- The current wife of a former doctor convicted of aggravated murder in his first wife's death wants a bondsman who defrauded her of thousands of dollars to pay $26,168 in attorney fees and punitive damages.

Esther Wangler asked Judge Jeffrey Reed for the award Friday against Darryl K. Ables, who was an Indianapolis bail bondsman operating under the company, Advantage Bail Bonds.

Ables did not appear at the hearing and has failed to contact the court.

Reed said he would issue a decision in the near future.

Wangler said she was forced to empty her savings account, max out her home equity line, borrow from family and cash out investments to raise the $1 million bail herself to get her husband, Mark Wangler, out of jail after he was indicted in the 2006 death of his first wife, Kathy Wangler. Mark Wangler, an anesthesiologist, is serving a 25-year to life prison sentence after a conviction.

Esther Wangler said Ables took advantage of her when she was most vulnerable and unsure how the system operated. She said Ables lied to her.

"It was about the most terrifying time in my life. I was scared and confused," she said. "He said he would have my husband back in my arms tomorrow night if I gave him the money."

But Mark Wangler was not released from jail until she came up with the money on her own after his indictment in September 2009.

Esther Wangler is seeking $6,168 in attorney fees and $20,000 in punitive damages.

In October, Reed granted Wangler a judgment for $56,000 against Ables. He previously paid about $50,000 to her while his criminal case was active.

Ables was convicted of aggravated theft by deception, a third-degree felony. He was placed on four years probation and ordered to repay Wangler.

Wangler's attorney, Christopher McDowell, said Ables' probation officer is aware of his violation of probation but he did not know whether the officer or prosecutor was seeking to revoke his probation. The prosecution was handled by an attorney with the Ohio Department of Insurance Fraud Division. Attempts to reach an attorney with that agency were unsuccessful Friday.

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