Category : fraud

International Cyber Crime

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investigation Leads to Arrest of San Diego Man

A local 20 year old San Diego man named Mark Camarilla, also known as “Cubby,” was recently arrested in Scripps Ranch and booked on charges of wire fraud and access device fraud. Camarilla is accused of operating an Apple call in scheme where he obtained serial numbers of Apple products he did not own, claimed the product was defective and asked for a replacement product to be shipped to him. He provided stolen credit card numbers, which could be charged if he did not return the defective device. Camarilla allegedly sold and shipped 4 new stolen iPhones to an undercover agent he thought was another fellow carder.

The arrest was part of a two year FBI international cyber crime investigation regarding “carding” crimes involving the theft and sale of personal information of unsuspecting victims spanning over 13 countries, including the United States. The sting resulted in the arrests of 24 persons, including Mr. Camarilla, as well as 10 other persons in the United States, and 13 persons in seven countries.  Four suspects still remain at large. There were also 36 warrants executed.
If convicted, Camarilla faces up to 30 years in prison. According to the FBI, these massive arrests protected more than 400,000 potential victims and prevented losses of approximately $205 million.  It is hoped by law enforcement that the arrests will help decrease carding schemes and forums worldwide.

California Cyber Crimes

Using carding schemes and forums to exchange information on hacking methods and computer security vulnerabilities, buying and selling personal information such as stolen credit card and debit card numbers and selling hardware to create counterfeit cards and goods purchased with stolen cards are considered illegal cyber crimes. It has been difficult to prosecute these crimes because law enforcement has not always had the right technologies to do so, and many times they span over multi-jurisdictions and countries.

With the development of new technologies, state, federal and international law enforcement are able to increase their efforts to work jointly to arrest and prosecute computer criminals.  For example, California now uses its eCrime unit to investigate and prosecute multi-jurisdictional criminal organizations, networks, and groups involved in identity theft crimes using an electronic device. Other states such as Texas, Florida and Louisiana also have similar units which focus on various cyber crimes.

Penalties

Under California Penal Code Section 484-502.9, there are various penalties and sentences for cyber crimes depending on the type of computer crime involved, the value of loss and injuries suffered by the victims and the defendant’s prior record. Computer crimes and crimes associated with computer crimes include:
•    Hacking of a computer
•    Computer Tampering and Trespass such as spreading a virus
•    Duplicating computer materials without authorized use
•    Copyright theft
•    Identity theft
•    Forgery
•    Grand Larceny
•    Cyber Stalking

Typically, if convicted of a cyber crime in California, you can expect to receive fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and/or imprisonment in a county jail or state prison for a term of one year up to three years or more. You may also be required by the court to pay restitution to victims for their losses suffered as a result of the computer crime.

Hiring a San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

It is critical for a person facing an investigation for a cyber crime in San Diego to get proper legal representation immediately.  Imhoff & Associates-Criminal Attorneys understand the impact that being under an investigation of this sort can have on your personal and business reputation, and we will try and keep you out of the public eye and media as much as possible. Your Imhoff San Diego criminal defense attorney will raise strong defenses on your behalf making sure that your constitutional Fourth Amendment rights regarding unreasonable search and seizure of your home and personal property have not been violated. Your San Diego criminal defense attorney will negotiate with prosecutors to try and get your charges reduced to a lesser crime, get you an alternative sentence such as community service or probation or get the case dropped.

111 People Indicted In Nation’s Biggest Fraud Ring

Under New York Penal Code Laws (Sections 190.25,190.65 and 190.78 -190.86) you could be charged and convicted of criminal personal identity theft for knowingly impersonating or presenting yourself as one or more persons and/or using personal identifying information, including a credit card, with the intent of benefit and/or to injure, defraud or cause such person or persons financial loss. Depending on the amount of goods involved and the number of identify fraud victims, you could either be charged with identify theft of the third degree Class A misdemeanor  or higher (Penal Code Section 190.78,190.81-one or more persons defrauded), second degree Class E felony (Penal Code Section 190.79, 190.82-one or more persons defrauded in property in excess of $500) or  first degree class D felony (Penal Code Section 190.80,190.83-one or more persons defrauded of property in excess of $2,000). It is also a crime to be in possession of a skimmer device, and you could be charged with a second degree class A misdemeanor (Penal Code Section 190.85) or a first degree Class E felony (Penal Code Section 190.86) if you have been convicted within the last five years of identity theft.

You could also be charged with grand larceny of the fourth degree (Penal Code 155.30-Class E felony), grand larceny in the third degree (Penal Code Section 155.35-Class D felony), grand larceny in the second degree (Penal Code Section 155.40-Class C felony) or grand larceny in the first degree (Penal Code Section 155.42-Class B felony property value exceeds over $1,000,000).

Fines and Sentences:

In New York, you could face a minimum jail sentence of up one year for an identity theft conviction or up 7 years, and fines from $1,000 up to $5,000, and you may also be subject to restitution to the victim under Penal Code Section 60.27. A first degree Class B felony grand larceny conviction carries a sentence up to 25 years imprisonment and a fine up to $25,000.

Federal Crime

Credit card fraud and identity theft are also considered federal offenses under 18 U.S.C. Sections 1028 and 1029 when someone knowingly transfers or uses another person’s identification, including a credit card number, with the intent to commit an illegal act or defraud someone to obtain goods or services in excess of $1,000. You could face a fine and/or imprisonment up to 10 years.

Case Example:

New York police have indicted 111 people in the nation’s biggest and the most sophisticated identity theft credit card fraud ring case. “Operation Swiper” began almost two years ago with undercover police and wiretaps of a five group I.D. theft ring based in Ozone Park, Queens. Police reported that the groups sometimes worked together. As of Friday October 7, 2011, police had arrested 85 people and seized handguns, computer electronics and $650,000 in cash during the arrests after searching several homes. Accordingly to New York Police Commissioner, Raymond Kelly, the I.D. theft ring purchased expensive items such as Apple electronics, luxury handbags, shoes and other products with stolen credit card information and then sold it overseas.

The way the I.D. theft ring worked was they hired skimmers who were retail store or other service industry employees who swiped credit card information on a skimming machine in order to steal the information from unsuspecting restaurant patrons and other business customers, as well as bank employees who had information about high end customers. The information was then given to a team of manufacturers in Russia, Libya, Lebanon and China who put it on blank credit cards. These new cards were then used by these five main teams and their criminal shoppers to purchase electronics and luxury items totaling approximately $13 million.

Among those arrested were bank tellers, restaurant workers and other service employees who used the cards also to pay for their luxury shopping sprees and stays at 5 start hotels as well as travel in rented luxury cards and private jets. Communications seized by New York police were in Russian, Arabic, Farsi and other languages, which had to be translated into English. According to New York police, the investigation was primarily centered on an Apple case because thieves can easily sell Apples products overseas.

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

Identity theft, credit card fraud and related crimes are serious crimes in New York, and you should hire a New York criminal defense attorney to represent you. The attorney will aggressively defend you by reviewing eyewitness identification statements made against you and raising evidentiary issues at hearings in order to get your charges reduced, attempt to obtain community service, probation or get your case dismissed.

LA Women Pleads Guilty to $6,268,899 in Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud is a serious federal crime. Medicare fraud crimes occurring in California are investigated by the Medicare Fraud Strike Task Force, part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), which is a joint Department of Justice-HHS effort consisting of federal, state and local investigators.You can stiff face fines, jail time, restitution to victims and insurance companies and loss of your professional healthcare license for committing Medicare fraud.

Acts of Medicare fraud include submitting bills for services that were never performed or submitting other fraudulent cost reports, billing more than once for the same services, falsely certifying or giving false information, ordering unnecessary tests (42 U.S.C. §1347, Social Security Act: 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(a), 42. U.S.C. § 1320a-7a(a)(1)(A) and (B)), kickbacks or self referrals (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b), 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7a(a)(7), 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn or the physician self-referral/”Stark” law under 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn(g)(3)). Medicare fraud can be committed by healthcare professionals such as doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, HMO’s, medical equipment companies and home health care providers.

Penalties:

Under the Health Insurance Portability Act Health, 42 U.S.C. §1347, anyone who knowingly or willingly defrauds any healthcare benefit program faces a fine or imprisonment for not more than 10 years or both. If bodily injury results because of the fraud, imprisonment may be up to 20 years. If death results because of the fraud, the imprisonment may be any term of years or for life.  For making false statements under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b(a) through (h), you face a fine of not more than $25,000 or imprisonment of not more than 5 years or both per offense.

Sample Case

Carolyn Ann Vasquez, age 46, of Los Angeles plead guilty on March 28, 2011, before  U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. in the Central District of California to using fraudulent medical clinics and stolen physician identities to defraud Medicare of approximately $6,268,899 from 2007 to 2008.  Ms. Vasquez instructed her co-conspirators to submit false claims to Medicare for reimbursement for services that were never performed by physicians and for power wheelchairs, medical equipment and diagnostic tests that the physicians did not order or prescribe. Vasquez admitted that she had instructed a physician assistant working at one of the fraudulent medical clinics to use clinic/physician prescription pads to write fraudulent prescriptions and order medical services for diagnostic tests, power wheelchairs and other medical equipment in a physician’s name who Vasquez knew did not work at the clinic. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, 2011. Vasquez could face a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was brought by the Medicare Fraud Strike Task Force, part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), which is a joint effort between the Department of Justice and HHS. The case is also being investigated by the FBI.

If you are arrested or accused of Medicare fraud, you should hire a California Medicare fraud attorney to defend you. The attorney may be able to raise the defenses of mistake, misunderstanding, that you are a victim and you may be able to testify against those who committed the fraud, or argue illegal evidence or violation of civil rights to get your case dismissed or charges reduced to a lesser offense and/or penalties.

How a California Criminal Attorney is Able to Help You.

California Penal Code Sections 548-551 make it a crime for anyone to willfully injure, destroy, secrete, abandon, or dispose of property insured against loss, damage from theft, embezzlement or casualty (excluding fire, which is not included under the definition of casualty in this regard) with the sole intent to defraud the insurer, whether the property belongs to you or another person. You can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the insurance fraud crime and the amount of money involved.

It is illegal to aid, abet, solicit or conspire with anyone to commit the following acts which constitute insurance fraud under California Penal Code Sections 548-551:

·    Knowingly presenting a false or fraudulent insurance claim for payment for
loss of injury.
·    Knowingly presenting multiple claims for the same loss or injury to more
than one insurance company with the intent to defraud them.
·    Knowingly participate in a vehicular accident with the intent to present a false claim.
·    Knowingly present a false or fraudulent claim for payments for loss
for theft, destruction, damage or conversion of any vehicle or vehicle part or the contents of a motor vehicle.
·    Knowingly make a false or fraudulent claim for a health care benefit or
payment including worker’s compensation health benefits.
·    Knowingly presenting any false or misleading statements to an insurance
company or to fail to disclose an occurrence or event
·    Intentionally burning property (act of arson) to collect an insurance payment
or assist the owner of the property to collect a payment from their insurance company.

If found guilty of any of these offenses and the claim amount is more than $950.00, you face imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year and a fine not extending $10,000, or imprisonment in the state prison for two to five years and a fine not to exceed $50,000 fine, or double the amount of the fraud, whichever is greater. For a claim amount under $950.00, you face imprison in the county jail not to exceed six months and a fine of $1,000.  You may also have to pay restitution in an amount determined by the court for medical evaluations or treatment services. If you have been previously convicted under the California insurance statute of insurance fraud, you will not be eligible for probation or a suspended sentence. You may receive an enhanced sentence ranging from two years to five years sentence for each prior conviction. A subsequent conviction is punishable by imprisonment in a California state prison and a fine of $50,000. Fines are doubled if the fraud involves an automobile claim.

Case Example:

Jeweler Lior Bitton, 36 of Los Angeles, owner of Pacific Diamonds and Gems jewelry store located in Westminster, CA was arrested for fraudulently collecting over $99,000 from his insurance company after filing a false claim to his insurance company reporting that a 4.21 carat diamond had been stolen when one of his employees had been robbed of 20 diamonds. Meanwhile, in September of 2009, Bitton had registered the same diamond with the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The unique properties of the diamond act as a fingerprint in which to identify the stone. In March 2010, Bitton went to Israel and met with a diamond wholesaler. The wholesaler presented the diamond to the GIA. The GIA identified the diamond as the same diamond that Bitton had registered with them previously. He was arrested by Westminster Police and charged with one felony count of insurance fraud. He faces a maximum five year prison sentence in state prison if convicted. The Westminster police recovered the diamond and have it in their custody.

If you are charged with insurance fraud in California and you are convicted, you would not be able to obtain insurance in the future or you may not be able to find employment. It is recommended you hire an experienced California criminal defense attorney to defend you. The attorney will review all the evidence to make sure that the prosecutors have a case against you. The attorney may be able to get you a reduced sentence and penalties or get the charges dismissed based on lack of evidence or other defenses such as you were unaware of the fraudulent activity of another person.

Bernard Madoff Arrested for $50 Billion Fraud

Last week Bernard Madoff, former NASDAQ chairman, was arrested and charged with carrying out what may be the largest case of financial fraud in history.

$50 Billion Ponzi Scheme

For decades, Madoff maintained a reputation of reliability on Wall Street. In 1960 he founded Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC and had since earned the trust of the global financial community.

His good reputation made it all the more shocking when it was discovered that Madoff had been arrested and charged with allegedly running a “Ponzi scheme” disguised as a legitimate hedge fund.

Investors from around the globe who were caught up in the scam suddenly had to cope with the realization that they had lost millions and in some cases billions of dollars. The combined losses to investors are approximated to be about $50 billion.

What is a “Ponzi Scheme”?

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that involves paying disproportionately high returns to investors out of money paid in by subsequent investors, rather than from the profit made from real business dealings.

With the promise of large returns as bait:

• The fraudster recruits an initial group of investors who are conned into thinking they are putting their money into a real business or investment.
• The fraudster creates and maintains an artificial cycle of returns by recruiting new investors and using their money  to pay off the earlier investors
• The cycle continues until no more new recruits can be found and the whole scheme collapses, with the newest investors losing everything.

Criminal and Civil Charges filed against Madoff

When FBI agents arrived at Madoff’s $7 million Manhattan apartment to arrest him for fraud, he admitted to agents that, “There is no innocent explanation,” and that he, “paid investors with money that wasn’t there.”

U.S. prosecutors have charged Madoff with a single count of securities fraud.  He faces up to:

• 20 years in prison
• A fine of up to $5 million

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed separate civil charges against Madoff.

A Large and Growing List of Fraud Victims

The list of those affected by Madoff’s $50 billion con-job is rapidly growing.  Every day since his arrest a new investment firm, bank, charity, or celebrity add themselves to the list of those who’ve been deceived.  Some of the more notable fraud victims include:

• Mortimer Zuckerman—Real estate magnate
• Sen. Frank Lautenberg—Politician
• Steven Spielberg—Hollywood producer
• The JEHT Foundation—Charity
• Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC—Scottish bank
• Nomura Holdings—International investment bank
• Chais Family Foundation—Charity
• Grupo Santander SA—Spain’s largest bank
• Ascot Partners LLC—Private equity investor
• Eric Roth—Film writer who wrote Forest Gump
• Jeffrey Katzenberg—Hollywood producer

(Source: Yahoo News, Reuters)

Have you been charged with a crime? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced criminal law attorney who will provide you with the legal support you need to get your charges reduced, if not dropped altogether.

NY Restaurant Owners Face Over 400 Charges

Owners of the Saigon Grill restaurants in Manhattan, New York have just been charged with over 400 counts of criminal acts, including fraud, minimum wage violations and witness tampering. Simon and Michelle Nget, the owners of the two trendy Asian eateries, have pled not guilty to all charges.

Details of the Ngets’ Alleged Crimes

According to authorities, the Ngets have committed a series of felonies over the past few years. Among their most prevalent crimes were violating minimum wage laws and creating false business documents.

In the upcoming trial, prosecutors plan on proving that:

• Many of the restaurants’ delivery men were obligated to work over 65 hours each week for less than $2 per hour, a rate that is less than half of New York’s minimum wage, $4.60, for tip-earning food service workers.
• Employees were forced to illegal pay fines when they violated restaurant policy.

While this can be a legitimate practice in particular circumstances, according to prosecutors, the Ngets’ so-called “policies” were absurd, and the associated fees were illegal and obscenely high. Between $20 and $200 would be deducted from workers’ paychecks upon policy violations.

In one notable example, the Ngets allegedly charged a worker for letting a door slam as he left the restaurant.

Defendants Charged With Class E Felonies

Along with these minimum wage violations, each defendant has also been indicted on the following Class E felonies:

• 151 charges of falsifying business records
• 127 counts of failing to keep records
• 46 counts of intentionally filing false information with a government office
• 45 charges of tampering with physical evidence
• 16 counts of accepting bribes
• 11 counts of failure to pay wages.

Defense lawyers for the Ngets have stated that none of the alleged charges is valid and that restaurant employees are lying about such criminal acts. Currently, Simon Nget is free on a $50,000 bail bond. Michelle Nget is free on a $20,000 bail bond.

(Source: New York Times)

Have you been charged with a crime? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced professional who will provide you with the legal support you need to get your charges reduced, if not dropped altogether.

Missouri Woman Faces Fraud, Conspiracy Charges

Federal prosecutors have begun presenting their side of a computer crime case against Lori Drew, a 49-year old woman accused of setting up a fake MySpace account to taunt one of her daughter’s former friends, Megan Meier.

Megan committed suicide in October 2006 after receiving a series of cruel messages from Drew’s alleged fake MySpace account.

Defendant Faces Criminal Charges

Drew is facing charges, including:

• Fraud
• Conspiracy
• three charges of illegally accessing a computer via interstate commerce for the purposes of harm.

Such federal charges have come into play because, although Drew and Megan lived and interacted in Missouri, the MySpace servers are located in California. Consequently, the trial proceedings are being conducted in the state of California.

Details of Drew’s Alleged Crimes

According to prosecutors, Drew:

• Set up a MySpace account under the fake identity of a 16-year old boy named “Josh Evans” in 2006. Through the Evans account, Drew allegedly emailed back and forth with Megan.
• Used the “Evans” account to send vicious and vindictive messages, resulting in Megan’s suicide.
• Sent the messages, knowing Megan was unstable and suicidal as Drew had previously given Megan her depression medication over a family trip.

Defendant Accused of Causing Suicide

The final online exchange included Evans telling Megan that the world would be better without her. To this, Megan responded that Evans was “the kind of boy a girl would kill herself over.” Following this last message, Megan hanged herself.

If convicted on all counts, Drew faces upwards of 15 years in prison.

(Source: New York Times)

Have you been charged with a crime? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced criminal law lawyer who will thoroughly evaluate your situation and fight to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Oregon Woman Faces Jail Time for Theft

Carley Torres, a 35-year old resident of Medford, Oregon, faces up to 90 days in jail after being convicted of theft charges. According to prosecutors, Torres had her children solicit money from unsuspecting residents of local neighborhoods by telling them that the money was needed to send the eldest Torres child to volleyball camp.

Neighborhoods the Torres children targeted included:

• Medford
• Ashland
• Eagle Point

All false donations were solicited during 2007

Rather than use the money collected from this door-to-door operation for camp, the Torres family spent it on shopping sprees and recreational activities, including trips to the movies and monster truck events. In total, authorities estimate that the Torres stole over $3,000 by performing their scam.

Common Door-to-Door Scams

The Torres’ scam to steal money is no new phenomenon, as many scammers solicit money by going door-to-door and asking for “donations” for some fake cause, event, group or service. Some of the most common door-to-door scams involve asking for money for:

• chimney sweeping
• cleaning services
• gutter cleaning
• roof repair
• tree trimming
• non-profit organizations
• local clubs (such as the Boys and Girls Clubs)
• a school sports team or sports-related event book or magazine subscriptions

These scammers typically target the elderly and use a range of persuasive/forceful language to steamroll unsuspecting residents into forking over cash. If you suspect a solicitor at your door is a scammer, don’t give him money. Instead, if you want to donate to a cause or purchase a service, deal with the organization or business directly.

Husband Found Guilty of Theft Also

Laramie Torres, Carley’s 33-year old husband, was also found guilty of theft charges. However, he has only been sentenced to community service, rather than time in jail and the thousands of dollars in restitution fees that his wife must pay.

Laramie stated he will help his wife repay the stolen money.

(Source: The Baltimore Sun)

Have you been charged with a crime? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced professional who will provide you with the legal support you need to get your charges reduced, if not dropped altogether.

"America's Sheriff" Suspected of Corruption

Sheriff Michael Carona, 53, of Orange County, California was nicknamed “America’s Sheriff” about five years ago by CNN talk-show host Larry King. Carona’s time as “America’s Sheriff” may be coming to an end, however. Corona’s own criminal trial began Oct. 28 after being indicted for fraud and corruption. His charges include:

• Conspiracy
• Mail fraud
• Witness tampering

His wife, Deborah Carona, is also charged with conspiracy and will be tried separately. Carona’s alleged mistress, Debra Hoffman, a lawyer, is charged with conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud and mail fraud; she will stand trial with Carona. Sheriff Carona was in his third term when he was indicted; he stepped down to concentrate on his legal defense.

$700,000 in Bribes

The federal prosecutors’ case against Carona accuses him of accepting cash, gifts, questionable loans and kickbacks amounting to nearly $700,000 in exchange for political favors. Many of the bribes came from Newport Beach businessman Don Haidl, who was made an assistant sheriff by Carona. Haidl agreed to become an undercover informant for the government last year.

Secret Recordings of Conversations

Conversations that were secretly recorded by one of Carona’s former assistant sheriffs, George Jaramillo, are expected to play a major role in the prosecution’s case. Jaramillo, 48, was also Carona’s confidant until he was fired by Carona; he is expected to testify for the prosecution.

“America’s Sheriff”

Sheriff Carona was nicknamed “America’s Sheriff” after a child-kidnapping case (that of five-year-old Samantha Runnion) rocketed him into the national spotlight. In his interview on CNN, Carona looked straight into the camera and told the child’s kidnapper not to eat or sleep — his deputies were hot on his trail. Her kidnapper and murderer, Alejandro Avila, was later apprehended.

(Source: MSNBC)

Do You Legal Help?

If you have been charged with a white collar crime such as fraud, contact us to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney who will thoroughly evaluate your situation and ensure your legal rights are protected. Our criminal law attorneys understand the system and will work tirelessly to defend your rights.

Hewitt Employees Face Felony Charges

Three former employees of Hewitt Associates, a Chicago-based human resources firm, face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the company out of tens of thousands of dollars in tuition reimbursements.

Those recently charged include Channel Clemons, 33, Kristopher McLendon, 30, and Kenya McMillan, 28. These three are among a group of 14 former employees all suspected of scamming Hewitt out of over $100,000 tuition reimbursements.

While Clemons, McLendon and McMillan are the latest to have been arrested, they also face the most serious charges: In addition to being charged with forgery (which is the only charge their other 11 co-workers face), McLendon and McMillan also face charges of class-three felony theft. Clemons has been charged with felony forgery and class-two felony theft.

A class-two felony theft charge generally indicates that more money has been taken, the defendant has a record of theft or violence was used during the theft.

Details of the Case

According the Hewitt’s records, this group of employees had been collecting fraudulent payments for tuition reimbursements since October 2005.

Hewitt has a policy of repaying employees up to $5,000 for the cost of further education and/or training. To claim such reimbursements, employees are required to submit paperwork verifying they have enrolled in and ultimately completed the course or program. Employees also have to submit their final grades, as company reimbursements are only granted if students have performed adequately in the course.

According to authorities, each of the 14 employees facing felony charges scammed tuition reimbursements by doing one or more of the following:

• Submitting enrollment paperwork but failing to attend the stated classes
• Failing to complete classes despite turning in paperwork that stated they had completed the courses
• Forging grades on paperwork submitted to ensure they would receive reimbursements

Police Investigation Continues

Police are continuing to investigate this string of forgery and theft. Although they expect that more will be arrested in this case, authorities have stated that they don’t suspect that these employees acted together or as part of some conspiracy.

(Source: The Chicago Daily Herald)

Have you been charged with a crime? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced criminal law attorney who will provide you with the legal support you need to get your charges reduced, if not dropped altogether.