A Chateaugay, New York, man is facing forgery and larceny charges after State Police said he altered a company check for $18,961.56 and cashed it at a Plattsburgh bank.
Police identified the man as John Patterson, 42, according to the New York State Police. Troopers said Patterson was an employee of Mike’s Barn Painting when the fraud complaint was reported.
The complaint came in at about 7:20 p.m. on June 4 on County Route 20 in the Town of Constable. Patterson was arrested July 2 after an investigation involving State Police, the bank’s fraud department, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
Patterson was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and third-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned in Plattsburgh Town Court and released on his own recognizance. The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court.
Police Say the Check Was Altered Before It Was Cashed
State Police said the check was connected to Mike’s Barn Painting and was cashed at a bank in Plattsburgh.
The public release did not say what part of the check was changed or how it was presented to the bank.
WWNY and WCAX both reported the same core details from police: Patterson was an employee of the company, and the altered check totaled $18,961.56.
Businesses Should Review Cleared Check Images Quickly
For businesses, altered checks can show up as a changed payee, unexpected endorsement, duplicate check number, missing invoice match, or cleared amount that does not match company records.
Business owners should preserve the original check record, cleared check image, invoice, bank notice, employee access records, and any related emails or text messages. Suspected check fraud should be reported to the bank’s fraud department and local law enforcement.
If a check may have been stolen or intercepted in the mail, the case can also be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.