Montgomery, Alabama -Cathy Ann Francesca Badal (23) of Brooklyn, New York was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 by United States District Judge Callie V.S. Granade. Badal’s sentence was for possessing and passing counterfeit traveler’s checks, in violation of federal law.
On Dec. 27, 2014, deputies of the Henry County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office arrested Badal. They found, in her purse, approximately 140 counterfeit traveler’s checks, each one purportedly worth $100. They also found a fraudulent driver’s license bearing Badal’s picture and the name and address of an Illinois resident who did not know Badal.
Further investigation revealed that, before being arrested in Henry County, Badal had traveled all over the country passing counterfeit traveler’s checks and using a fraudulent driver’s license to do so. Stores from Maine to Florida reported being victimized by Badal. As a result, Judge Granade ordered that Badal pay a total restitution amount of $53,800 to 47 different businesses.
“This case demonstrates that identity theft is a problem that is national in scope," stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “We in the Middle District of Alabama consider it a great success when we are able to bring to justice a person like Badal who had, before coming to Alabama, preyed upon businesses and individuals all over the country and all for her own personal gain," Beck stated.
This case was jointly investigated by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
