Check-Writing Scheme DrawsProbation

WAUSAU, Wis. - (04/18/05) -- A local woman who opened a checkingaccount at Cloverbelt CU with less than $20, then wrote 130 checksin 15 days for $16,000, was sentenced Friday to three-and-a-halfyears probation. Janis Long, 22, opened a checking account in March2003 and received 10 starter checks and 150 personalized checks andused almost all of them in the next two weeks, writing checks toindividuals and gas stations and local grocery stores. Long pleadedguilty to three felony counts of issuing worthless checks. As partof her plea agreement she is barred from opening or maintaining achecking accounts.