SOUTHPORT, NY — A man has been arrested on felony charges after allegedly forging a check from a deceased relative’s account.
Michael A. Gardner, 37, of Elmira, was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, forgery in the second degree, and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, all class D felonies.
The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division was dispatched to an address in the town on Sept. 1 for a report of a stolen check.
During the investigation, Gardner was accused of writing a check for $3,762 from the account of a deceased relative.
The complaint was turned over to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.
Investigators determined the relative had been deceased since April.
On Aug. 24, Gardner allegedly forged a check belonging to the deceased relative in the amount of $3,762 and deposited it into his personal checking account.
Gardner was arraigned by Southport Town Court and released.
He is scheduled to appear in Southport Town Court at a later date.
