FORMER MEDICAL OFFICE BILLING CLERK CHARGED

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that Rose Sharon Ettlin, 52, of 332 Rossiter Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, was indicted by a Baltimore County Grand Jury on charges of felony theft and forgery and uttering (passing) of Medicare and insurance reimbursement checks belonging to her former employer. The charges allege that Rose Ettlin stole $11, 904.73 from Sukh Dev Aujla, M.D., P.A., who has an office at 5400 Old Court Road in Randallston. Her arraignment is scheduled for August 6, 2002.

The pending case will be prosecuted by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. While an indictment and criminal information are merely accusations of wrongdoing and every individual is presumed innocent unless the State proves the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, felony theft is punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years or a fine of $1,000, or both. The other charges carry additional penalties. Ettlin also can be ordered to pay restitution.

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