In the suburbs of Philadelphia a travel agent has been charged with stealing $187,000 in tour payments. She is accused of spending the money on clothes and QVC purchases.

Officials from the county say that most of Frances Blashan’s victims were senior citizens who were interested in an African Safari.

Balshan ran World Travel Vignettes, which linked customers with a tour that was organized by the St. Louis Zoo. The District Attorny says that the 66 year old collected $197,000 for the trips, but only forwarded $10,000 to the zoo.

Balshan is being charged with felony theft and fraud. She defended her reputation to reporters on Monday by saying that the allegations are a result of a “misunderstanding”.