CUNA Mutual Employee Charged WithIdentity Theft

MADISON, Wis. - (01/12/05) -- Thomas J. Kobinsky, a mediarelations manager with CUNA Mutual Group, has been arrested andcharged with identity theft as part of an alleged revenge plot.CUNA Mutual Group said it is cooperating fully with local lawenforcement, and noted that the investigation is pending. Kobinskyhas been suspended with pay. The U.S. Attorney's Office, whichbrought the charges following an investigation by the Dane CountySheriff's Department and the U.S. Secret Service, said theybelieved Kobinsky was attempting to take revenge against anunidentified man who allegedly had yelled at Kobinsky's youngdaughter after she left a park in which she was playing soccer.Investigators alleged that Kobinsky posed as the man and signed himup for magazines, ordered mail-order goods and other services inhis name, and made pledges to political races in his name. Inaddition, someone also used false Social Security numbers to applyfor a bank loan, credit cards and an online stock trading accountin the names of the man and his wife. Authorities said that thecase will go before a federal grand jury on Jan. 20 and thatadditional charges could be brought.