UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	APRIL 1, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

TWO ALABAMA MEN CHARGED WITH BANK FRAUD

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - ANTHONY LIVEL MATHEWS, 41, of Montgomery, and BERTRAN ANDRE WOODSON, 35, of Selma, Alabama have been indicted today in U.S. District Court in Birmingham.  United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama and Roy Sexton, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announce that MATHEWS and WOODSON were charged in a four-count indictment by a federal grand jury for bank fraud.

             The indictment alleges that the men aided and abetted each other in a scheme to defraud AmSouth Bank (now known as Regions Bank) by opening a fraudulent checking account, depositing stolen checks into the account, then cashing checks drawn on that account.  Specifically, Counts 1 and 2 charge that on November 26, and December 14, 2003, MATHEWS deposited two stolen checks in amounts totaling $78,810.28.  Counts 3 and 4 charge that on December 17, 2003, WOODSON cashed checks drawn on the account for a total of $18,000.00.

            Each count carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.            

            “Bank fraud is a serious crime as evidenced by the substantial penalties imposed by Congress.  Those who attempt to get easy money by committing this type of scheme will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. 

              This case was investigated by agents with the United States Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura D. Hodge on behalf of the United States.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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