Three charged in bogus payroll check scam

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Lamendola

City police have cracked an intricate payroll check-cashing scheme that allegedly defrauded several local businesses out of more than $8,000. They have arrested three people and are expecting further arrests.

Charged were:

– Gloria A. Dillenbeck, 42, of 2813 State Highway 10, Caroga Lake, with felony criminal possession of a forged instrument and misdemeanor petty larceny;

– Bruce Jessop, 22, of 8 William St., Gloversville, with felony counts of forgery and criminal possession of a forged instrument and misdemeanor petty larceny;

– Amy Johnson, 22, of 39 West St., Gloversville, with felony criminal possession of a forged instrument and misdemeanor petty larceny. She also was charged with felony escape and resisting arrest. The latter charges were filed after Johnson tried to escape custody as she was being transported from the city lockup to the Fulton County Jail, police said.

Detective Capt. Anthony Clay said the suspects created payroll checks with the names of real and fictitious companies. They would then cash the checks at businesses in Fulton and Montgomery counties. At some point they enlisted the help of other people to cash the checks in return for a cut of the proceeds, he said.

When Amsterdam police raided their residence at the Valley View Motel on Route 5S, they found a computer and printer. Clay said the suspects used special software and check stock purchased legally to produce the fraudulent checks. He said there are websites where people can download fake checks.

“It hits everyone once in a while, but this is intricate from what we have seen,” Clay said. “It is a constant battle.”

Police were able to apprehend the suspects because they used real identifications to cash the checks. “Some of the stores were familiar with the people and we had IDs on some,” he said.

Stores that cashed the checks can attempt to seek restitution through the courts. Clay urged store owners to make sure people have solid identifications before cashing their checks.