Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

Fraud, Id theft

I leased some equipment in my partners name. This was one of the bills he was to be responsible for. I signed his signature as personal guarentor. After receiveing the paperwork he stated he didnt want to be responsible for the payment. I had made 2 payments on the account and then I canceled the lease and returned the equipment. He filed a complaint with the police before I had cancelled the lease and know refuses to withdraw the complaint and wants to press charges. He is out no money as I paid this with my own money and the lease has been cancelled and there was no damage done to his credit. Can I still get in trouble for this?


Asked on 1/02/08, 3:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Cline Office of the Ohio Public Defender

Re: Fraud, Id theft

The facts that you describe could result in you being charged with the felony offenses of identity theft and fraud. It makes no difference whether he lost any money or whether his credit was injured, although if you are found guilty of the offenses those facts would be mitigating.

The key issue here is whether you acted with the permission of this other man -- and then he backed out on the deal -- or whether you acted without his permission and then tried to "fix it" after he complained.

In either case, if you have been charged with criminal acts as a result of this, you should hire an attorney to assist you. This is not one of those cases that you could handle by yourself -- the potential punishment is too much and the risk is too great.

Best of luck in your case.

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Answered on 1/02/08, 5:06 pm


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