Va. woman sues over 'fortune teller' label

Associated Press - July 29, 2010 12:45 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Chesterfield County woman claims county officials have violated her religious rights by defining her as a fortune teller rather than a spiritual counselor.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne did not immediately rule on the county's motion to dismiss the lawsuit after a two-hour hearing Thursday.

Patricia Moore-King claims she has been unable to obtain a business license because of the more stringent standards the county imposes on fortune tellers. For example, only fortune tellers are required get the police chief's permission to operate after submitting five references.

King says her counseling methods employ Tarot, energy healing, astrology and psychic abilities. But she insists in her lawsuit that she's not a fortune teller because she doesn't predict the future.