Denise Novotny Press Release (Guilty Plea)

March 5, 2009
For Immediate Release

CLINTON, MISSOURI WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CREDIT CARD FRAUD CHARGES

St. Louis, MO: Denise Novotny pled guilty to stealing someone’s identity to open credit cards, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

According to court documents, in February 2005, Novotny stole identifying information of J.N. and opened American Express credit cards, using her own address. Between February and September 2005, Novotny charged over $36,000 on one credit account at stores and restaurants. In March 2006, after receiving collection notices from American Express, J.N. confronted Novotny, who admitted to opening the account and making the purchases. Additionally, between January 2004 and December 31, 2008, Novotny lied to state and federal agencies about her employment and her family in order to receive more benefits from the Social Security Administration and United States Department of Agriculture.

DENISE NOVOTNY, Clinton, Missouri, pled guilty to one felony count of credit card fraud. She appeared before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel today in St. Louis. She now faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000 when she is sentenced in May 2009.

Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the U. S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, the Clinton, Missouri Police Department, the Washington County, Wisconsin Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI CATHERINE L. HANAWAY United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz at (314) 539-7719
March 5, 2009 For Immediate Release CLINTON, MISSOURI WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CREDIT CARD FRAUD CHARGES St. Louis, MO: Denise Novotny pled guilty to stealing someone’s identity to open credit cards, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today. According to court documents, in February 2005, Novotny stole identifying information of J.N. and opened American Express credit cards, using her own address. Between February and September 2005, Novotny charged over $36,000 on one credit account at stores and restaurants. In March 2006, after receiving collection notices from American Express, J.N. confronted Novotny, who admitted to opening the account and making the purchases. Additionally, between January 2004 and December 31, 2008, Novotny lied to state and federal agencies about her employment and her family in order to receive more benefits from the Social Security Administration and United States Department of Agriculture. DENISE NOVOTNY, Clinton, Missouri, pled guilty to one felony count of credit card fraud. She appeared before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel today in St. Louis. She now faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000 when she is sentenced in May 2009. Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the U. S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, the Clinton, Missouri Police Department, the Washington County, Wisconsin Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.