FORT MEYERS, Fla. – A former employee of Publix Supermarkets was convicted last week of running a counterfeit check ring that siphoned more than $150,000 from the Publix Employees FCU.
Lotonyo Lyons, 27, and six accomplices deposited dozens of phony checks into their own credit union accounts in 2007, and into an account opened on a stolen identity, according to the Florida Attorney General’s office. Lyons' mother, Carolyn Mitchell, drove with Lyons and wrote out thousands of dollars in fraudulent checks, and paid one of the accomplices to make the deposits.
At the time, the credit union’s policy allowed the corporate sponsor’s own employees immediate access to the funds deposited at the credit union. The credit union has since changed their policy regarding checks and its employees' accessibility to funds.
The group then used debit cards to withdraw the funds and make purchases along the west coast of Florida, including plasma televisions, jewelry, automobile rims, and a Mitsubishi Gallant.
The six accomplices have all pleaded guilty and are either serving sentences or awaiting sentencing.
