July 8, 2009
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News: Calif Mayor's Office Intern Steals CC's
Oakland, California's Mayor Ron Dellums' had a thief running about his office last year stealing her co-workers' credit card information and racking up over $15,000 in fraudulent charges. Phelicia Slay-Williams, a former intern at the Mayor's office, pleaded no contest to the credit card theft of two of her city co-workers. She used the stolen card information to purchase sporting event tickets, airline tickets, and over $1,000 in computer equipment. Prior to obtaining her position with the Mayor's office, Slay-Williams was employed as a paralegal for Price and Associates Law firm. While at Price, she also stole the firm's credit card information and purchased over $7,000 in fraudulent charges including apparel and sporting event tickets. During a search of Slay-Williams' home, authorities found photocopies of a large number of donor checks with the payee as Dellums' 2007 Holiday Toy Drive. Authorities have not yet been able to link any fraudulent activities between any of the donor's checking accounts and Slay-Williams.
It was also noted that while employed for both Price and Associates and the Mayor's office, Slay-Williams was on probation for a previous conviction of forgery. In spite of her forgery probation, she had been given access to the firm's credit cards and checks because neither of the offices' were aware of her probation. Slay-Williams was charged with six felonies including identity theft, credit card theft, and receiving stolen goods; however, on the day of her hearing, accepted a plea deal that would reduce the charges. The District Attorney's office said that they accepted the plea deal because it would allow a speedy expedition of repayment to Slay-Williams' victims. The plea deal includes five years probation on felony charges and up to one year in jail. Her jail sentence will be handed down during sentencing in August.
Credit card and identity theft has grown to massive proportions across the nation. This case is a wakeup call for all individuals and organizations that no one is removed from the threat of becoming a victim. As the financial industry continues to seek out new technology that will help deter these fraudulent activities, consumers must take special precautions to protect all of their personal information.