Opinion ID: 1734582
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count ICredit Card Fraud

Text: In May of 1997, respondent received an unsolicited, pre-approved credit card application in the name of his former wife. Respondent, who had been divorced for a period of four years, forged the signature of his former wife on the application without her knowledge or consent. Upon receiving the credit card in her name through the mail, he transferred $5,500 of his personal credit card debt incurred after his divorce to the card. Respondent utilized the card for approximately one year, defaulted on the transferred balance and ignored past due notices for several months. Subsequently, the United States Postal Inspector's Office instituted an investigation into the matter. Upon learning he was the target of a federal investigation, respondent contacted law enforcement authorities in an effort to cooperate and provided full restitution. In lieu of pleading guilty, he participated in a pre-trial diversion plan sponsored by the United States Attorney's Office and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Later, respondent self-reported his misconduct to the ODC.