Sentenced for bad Bookie checks

A former employee of The Bookie has been sentenced in District Court for two counts of theft third degree.

Melissa Abrams was originally charged in Superior Court with two counts of unlawful issuance of checks or drafts, a Class C felony, for two of the checks which were each over $750. Abrams was accused of writing numerous bad checks to The Bookie. The police report stated the problem was discovered by another employee who had seen the unpaid check report and noticed Abrams’ name on the list multiple times. Abrams was the general merchandising manager at the time and the primary person to see that list.

When the issue was discovered, nine checks were still outstanding for a total of $5,684.13. Check amounts ranged from $211.57 to $1,238.91, according to the probable cause filing.

The case was dismissed from Superior Count July 17 without prejudice, the same day the District Court judgment and sentencing was filed.

Abrams was ordered to pay $7,743 in fines and fees including $6,000 in restitution to The Bookie. She was sentenced to 364 days in jail on each count with 360 days suspended.