14 indicted in check-cashing scheme in Dayton

UPDATE @ 4:44 p.m.

The 14 indictments today relate to a check-cashing scheme that bilked $385,000 from the city of Dayton.

In 2013, suspicious activity in one of the city’s financial accounts prompted an internal review.

The money had been removed from the city’s “Morals Fund,” according to a release from the prosecutor’s office. Money in that fund is set aside to pay for claims the city is liable for such as property damage caused by city workers.

On December 9, 2013, after the internal review, Christen C. Turner, a city employee since 1996, was fired from her position.

In her role as law department executive secretary, Turner was allowed to sign claims checks of $2,500 or less.

The investigation revealed that between 2009 and 2013, Turner and others were involved in a criminal scheme in which Turner would create false claims against the city in her friends’ names, sign approval for the fake claims and give the checks to her friends, according to a media release.

These co‐conspirators, none of whom worked for the city of Dayton, would then either cash the checks or have others cash the checks on their behalf, and everyone would then share in the proceeds. One of those convicted in the scheme and serving two years prison time is Shannon Richards. She told our investigative team in a 2014 interview how the scheme worked.

Turner is serving a five-year prison sentence. She was ordered to pay back $385,937.93 to the city in restitution.

In addition, 19 defendants have been prosecuted — five received prison sentences, seven received probation, four were granted intervention in lieu of conviction, and three completed the diversion program, according to a media release.

EARLIER REPORT

A Montgomery County grand jury has indicted 14 people in check-cashing scheme in Dayton.

A check-cashing scheme from August 2010 through October 2013 has lead to felony indictments against the following:

  • Vironica Nichols, 37, of Dayton, indicted on complicity to commit grand theft, engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior, and theft.
  • Trina Frazier, 56, of Dayton, on charges of complicity to commit grand theft, engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior, and grand theft.
  • Brooke Hutchins, 28, of Trotwood, on a charge of theft.
  • Myron Moon, 59, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.
  • Lance Alexander, 35, of Trotwood, on a charge of theft.
  • Dale Young, 59, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.
  • Beverly A. Rowe, 52, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.
  • Elverna Phillips, 53, of Dayton, on a charge of complicity to commit grand theft.
  • Tawanna Calloway, 34, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.
  • Denisha Taylor, 24, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.
  • Latasha Frazier, 39, of Trotwood, on a charge of theft.
  • Tania Bronaugh, 43, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.
  • Gerald Robinson, 62, of Dayton, on a charge of grand theft.
  • Tamika L. Thomas, 35, of Dayton, on a charge of theft.

These indicted individuals are co-conspirators in a case where the city of Dayton lost $385,000 after former Dayton law department executive secretary Christen C. Turner wrote over 140 checks to at least 33 friends.

Turner was sentenced to five years in prison in 2015 after pleading guilty to 145 felony counts.

This developing story will be updated.

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