Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re-sold coupons

Hi. I used to work at a movie store that would gave away sheets of 'free movie rental coupons' whenever someone purchased a game system.

After the last holiday season, we were instructed to throw away about 1000 sheets of these coupons because they were holiday themed. I took a couple hundred to try and re-sell on ebay.

I ended up selling about 300 and just today I was called into our office and confronted about the coupons. Unfortunetely I wrote out a confession because I was pretty off-guard and I know this was a huge mistake. On the confession I said that 'I took coupons that were supposed to be thrown away to re-sell them on ebay'.

After the confession, I realized this wasnt going anywhere good so I told them that I quit. They said that this wouldnt be the last that I heard from them, I told them that the cash value of the coupons is 1/100th of a cent which is does state on the coupons, and that I didnt steal them from the store, that I took them because they were trash. They want me to pay over $20,000 for the losses I caused, which Is just impossible for me to do.

Any suggestions and input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.


Asked on 5/26/06, 1:51 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Re-sold coupons

Well, yeah, you are screwed. Probably they will bring you up on criminal charges and sue you and you will never ever be able to get a job again and they would never have been able to prove anything otherwise. And the 1/10 of a cent argument won't wash.

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Answered on 5/26/06, 2:51 am
Philip Iadevaia Law Offices of Philip A. Iadevaia

Re: Re-sold coupons

The $20,000 loss is hogwash. They waived ownership of the coupons when the decided to throw them out. Maybe you'lll hear from them, maybe you won't. It's not a theft, but it might be an embezzlement of some sort. Your greatest problem may be from the purchasers on ebay, whom you defrauded. Good luck.

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Answered on 5/26/06, 12:51 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Re-sold coupons

Suggestion: Yeah, hire a good attorney when and if they bring criminal charges or civil suit against you. Your confession gives them all the proof they need. Contact me if that happens.

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Answered on 5/26/06, 2:22 pm


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