PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY WOMAN INDICTED FOR FORGING HER DECEASED MOTHER’S SIGNATURE ON CHECKS

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the indictment of Gina Charles, 28, of the 4900 block of Megan Drive in Clinton, Maryland, on the charges of forgery and uttering. The charges, which were filed by the Prince George’s County Grand Jury on September 21, allege the defendant forged $10,000 worth of checks drawn on the account of her deceased mother and living stepfather to be payable to herself. Charles forged and uttered 5 checks in all. These checks were passed in May and June, 2003. Charles was served yesterday with a criminal summons to appear for an arraignment on October 8, 2004 in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. For the five charges of forgery, the defendant faces 10 years per charge. The same is true for each charge of uttering. Both charges are felonies in the state of Maryland.

The case was investigated by the Office of the Attorney General and the Maryland State Police along with the Bank of America. It will be prosecuted by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

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