FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
PHONE: (617)748-3356
E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
SOMERSET MAN CHARGED UNAUTHORIZED USE OF COMPANY CREDIT CARD
BOSTON, MA - A Somerset man was charged yesterday in federal court with access device fraud.
Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks and Thomas M. Powers, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service - Providence Resident Office, announced that MARK ANTHONY WATKINSON, age 49, of Somerset, was charged in a Criminal Complaint with intentionally using an access device (company credit card) without authorization to obtain things of value in excess of $1,000 in a one year period.
The Complaint alleges that from on or about January of 2009 through June of 2009, WATKINSON used his company issued American Express card to make unauthorized purchases over $1,000. The Affidavit supporting the Criminal Complaint alleges that WATKINSON’S first such use of his company credit card for an unauthorized purchase occurred in October of 2000 and that he has made at least $312,973.76 in such unauthorized purchases since that time. WATKINSON’S employer through June of 2009 was ROTHTEC Engraving Corp., in New Bedford, MA, a family-owned business. WATKINSON had been employed at ROTHTEC for 17 years and served as its Information Technology (“IT”) Specialist and its Purchasing Agent. According to the Affidavit, WATKINSON ordered movies, televisions, a computer, various electronic entertainment devices and other assorted items using the company credit card. He then allegedly had these items shipped to his home, while the bill for his orders went to ROTHTEC, which had unwittingly paid the invoices for many years. ROTHTEC eventually discovered the fraud and reported it to law enforcement.
If convicted on these charges, WATKINSON faces up to 10 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $ 250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service’s Providence Resident Office and the Somerset Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul R. Moore of Loucks’ Economic Crimes Unit.
The details contained in the Complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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