U.S. Attorney Natalie K. Wight | U.S. Department of Justice
A woman from Damascus, Oregon, Sharon Neal, appeared in federal court on Monday following her indictment for filing fraudulent small claims across circuit courts in Oregon. The alleged scheme involved twenty false claims that resulted in at least $190,000 being garnished from victims.
Neal faces five counts of mail fraud. According to the indictment, between August 2018 and November 2022, she allegedly filed multiple fraudulent claims using fictitious companies to secure monetary judgments against unsuspecting victims. She reportedly accused victim companies of providing substandard products or services or failing to deliver them, despite these companies not conducting business with her sham enterprises.
The indictment details how Neal falsely certified service of claims by sending empty envelopes via certified mail to the victim companies. This tactic kept the victims unaware of any legal actions against them, leading to default judgments and writs of garnishment being issued in Neal's favor. Victims only became aware after their banks notified them about the garnished funds.
Neal was arraigned before a U.S. Magistrate Judge where she pleaded not guilty and was released pending a jury trial set for February 18, 2025. If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine amounting to $250,000.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into this case which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Ho for the District of Oregon.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation and Neal remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.