Bruce, 56, worked for County Clerk of Court’s office from 2002 until August 2011. He was Deputy Director in charge of the Criminal Division Unit of the Clerk of Court’s office. Bruce created the recording system that he ultimately used to fraudulently steal payments made by criminal defendants.
Bruce’s shenanigans began in 2004. He often worked on Saturdays and this provided an excellent time to steal funds directed for the Court. Because Bruce head up the Division, he was able to ensure that nobody else worked the Saturday shift with him. He had two separate fraud schemes that he perpetrated. The first scheme was based on defendants not showing up for court. Bonding companies made cash payments to the courts for defendants. When the defendant didn’t show up for a court date, Bruce stole the cash payments. The second scheme stole a “victim of crime fee” that was assessed on top of any bond payment that was posted by criminal defendants. The fee prior to 2009 was $45. The fee was raised to $85 after 2009. Bruce had two different ways of stealing the “victim of crime fee.” He would either steal the fee outright without recording it at all or Bruce would steal the fee and manipulate the court records to cover the stolen money.
Stealing small amounts over an extended period of time is called Death by a Thousand Cuts. Over 7 years, Bruce stole approximately $8,500. This is the amount that Bruce admitted, but the records were so poor that the amount that was actually stolen is still in doubt. Bruce was sentenced to 5 years in prison, ordered to pay restitution of $8,715, and to pay a fine of $5,000. The judge didn’t buy the argument Bruce made that there was daily pressures on him, it wasn’t him, and that he deserved a second chance.
Questions:
1. What kind of cash schemes are involved here? Define what each one means according to the criteria detailed in the Well’s textbook.
2. Why do you think this was able to continue for 7 years?
3. Look at the latest ACFE Report to the Nation. What kind of fraud schemes are listed that involve stealing cash? Outline the information you find.