On Friday, June 15, 2012, a Fulton County Grand Jury returned a 21 count indictment against Jean Samuel Gai, charging him with two felony counts and nine misdemeanor counts of Theft by Taking (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2) and ten felony counts of Forgery in the First Degree (O.C.G.A. § 16-9-1).

Gai is accused of depositing 11 Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) income tax refund checks totaling over $14,000.00 that had been stolen from the United States Postal Service. Each check contained the forged signature of the taxpayer to whom the refund check was payable. The alleged thefts and forgeries took place in July, 2010.

Each felony count of Theft by Taking carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and up to a $100,000 fine, and each misdemeanor count of Theft by Taking carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison and up to a $1,000.00 fine. Each forgery count carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and up to a $100,000.00 fine.

Assistant Attorney General Shepard Orlow is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The case was investigated by Special Agent Douglas Legg of DOR.