Ex-‘Survivor’ contestant charged with larceny in Virginia

DANVILLE, Va. — A former “Survivor” contestant has been charged in Virginia with grand larceny, authorities said.

Jonny Fairplay, who while competing on the show in 2003 became known for orchestrating a lie that his grandmother had died, was charged after a silver necklace and furniture were taken from a residence, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said. Also charged was Fairplay’s mother, Patsy Terry Hall, 68, the Danville Register & Bee reported Wednesday.

The sheriff’s office said Fairplay’s aunt filed the complaint, according to TV station WSET. Sheriff’s office officials would not say who lived at the home, according to the Register & Bee.

Fairplay, 46, and Hall turned themselves in at a magistrate’s office Friday after Danville police served them warrants, a police spokesman told the newspaper.

Fairplay declined comment to the Register & Bee beyond pointing out a previous response to celebrity website TMZ. TMZ quoted Fairplay as saying that he had been “unjustly charged” by a family member and would welcome the opportunity to vindicate himself.

The Associated Press could not reach Fairplay or Hall, and it wasn’t clear if either had an attorney who could comment on their behalf.

The Associated Press