Police: Northfield Woman Forged Nearly $5,000 in Checks

A Northfield woman facing two charges of check forgery made her first appearance in Rice County District Court on Tuesday.

Police say Chelsea Ellen Paul, 19, bilked money from her boyfriend’s mom’s checking account for two months, which came to end March 25 when the mother contacted police.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

In all, 22 checks were forged for more than $4,800, according to the criminal complaint filed with the court. Fifteen checks were made out to either Paul or her boyfriend, totaling $4,550. The largest check, according to the complaint, was made out to Paul for $550.

Six other checks were used at gas stations; one check was used at a mechanic shop.

Police did a forensic comparison of the signature on the checks that Paul is alleged to have signed and the signature of the account holder. They did not match, the complaint says.

Paul told police that in the past the mother had given her and her boyfriend checks to use. According to the complaint, the boyfriend said the mother knew of some of the checks, but probably didn’t expect the amount to be so much.

Last month, Paul was convicted of petty misdemeanor theft. She was fined $50 and paid $37.99 restitution, according to the Minnesota Courts system.

Paul's next court appearance is May 17.