During the months that followed, however, Ms. Rothstein said,

During the months that followed, however, Ms. Rothstein said, his management style caused a multitude of problems for the Cafe, most of which are only now, since his disappearance, coming to light.

Citing possible pending legal action, and an ongoing criminal investigation, Ms. Rothstein declined to go into specific details about the problems left by Godwin.

Sheriff Woodward confirmed that his office is conducting a criminal investigation into Godwin’s management practices at the Cafe, but declined to offer specific details about the investigation.

Several individuals interviewed reported that local teenagers employed by the Cafe had been left with payroll checks returned for insufficient funds, or had not been paid for their final weeks’ work at the Cafe.

Rappahannock News General Manager Barbara Burke said that the newspaper was among the businesses owed money, having not been paid in full for the advertising placed by Godwin.

Over and over, people taken in by Godwin’s likeable manner said, “He seemed like such a nice guy. I believed him.’’

Over and over, they continued to believe him, even as his checks began to come back for insufficient funds, or payments were promised and not delivered. “He put me off,” said one creditor, “just like he did everyone else.”

“There’s no fool like an old fool,” Mr. Wickens said. “I believed him, I liked him, I trusted him.” Explaining his interest in Godwin’s venture, he continued, “I believe we need a restaurant in that location to serve the residents of this town. I have ione everything that I can to support that, through several ownerships.”

Referring to the stories circulatng about teenagers who were allegedly left without paychecks, Mr. iViekens said, “If indeed he cheated 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds, it’s worse han what he did to the grownups, fo do something like that to little