37 People Indicted For Counterfeiting Ring In Northeast Ohio

CLEVELAND, OH — A federal grand jury has indicted 37 people for their roles in a large counterfeiting ring that allegedly operated in Cuyahoga, Lake, Portage, and Summit Counties. A 42-year-old man is accused of serving as the manager and director of the ring.

Montrea Donaldson, 42, allegedly manufactured fraudulent checks and then directed a ring of people to target businesses and entities throughout Northeast Ohio. He employed several people that were willing to cash the checks he manufactured, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim O'Malley said.

On certain days, the employees would cash the checks at multiple banks and check cashing locations until the accounts were flagged for fraud, O'Malley said in news release. More than 75 checks were manufactured for $175,000. An estimated 56 checks, in the amount of $83,224, were allegedly cashed.

“These crimes disrupted the lives and businesses of dozens of victims,” said O’Malley. “It is my intent to disrupt Donaldson’s life with a lengthy prison sentence as I believe we are just scratching the surface of this scam.”

The investigation into the counterfeiting ring was led by the Cleveland Police Department and the Postal Inspectors. Donaldson is scheduled for arraignment on March 6.

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