DELAWARE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY INDICTED FOR THEFT AND FORGERY

Posted on 10/5/2016

Defendant: James F. Cuccarese II

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “While off duty and not in uniform, this man forged two checks for his own personal gain.”  Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announces that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against James F. Cuccarese II, age 45, for two counts Forgery (F-4) and one count Theft (F-5), for a total of three counts.  Recently, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Special Investigations Unit concluded an investigation involving Cuccarese on theft and forgery allegations that Cuccarese had altered a check payable to him from The Bainbridge Firm, LLC and then later presented that check at a bank in Franklin County for payment in the end of November 2015.  A stop payment was made on that check on December 1, 2015 and the $11,250 funds were withdrawn from Cuccarese’s account.  On December 7, 2015, Cuccarese presented a check for $12,000 at a bank in Franklin County with the forged signature of the owner of Worthington Wellness Center, Inc.  Cuccarese was a part-time employee at WWC for several years.  At the time the check was presented at the bank, the bank contacted the owner, who denied writing the check and the check was subsequently held without processing.  “If convicted of these charges, Cuccarese would be required to forfeit his Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certificate,” O’Brien stated.