(PORT CLINTON, Ohio)—An Ottawa County Grand Jury today indicted a Port Clinton couple on ten total counts related to a bankruptcy fraud scheme that shielded assets from more than 50 creditors, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Mulligan announced today. The scheme also involved theft from an elderly widow of more than $160,000.
Iris R. Stephenson, 63, of Port Clinton, was indicted on the following eight counts:
- One count of Theft, a felony of the first degree
- One count of Tampering with Records, a felony of the third degree
- Two counts of Defrauding Creditors, a felony of the fourth degree
- One count of Defrauding Creditors, a felony of the fifth degree
- Three counts of Misuse of Credit Cards, a felony of the third degree
Hugh A. Stephenson, 61, of Port Clinton, was indicted on the following two counts:
- One count of Theft, a felony of the third degree
- One count of Defrauding Creditors, a felony of the fourth degree
Iris Stephenson filed for personal bankruptcy involving 52 creditors in March 2011. Stephenson and her husband are alleged to have shielded income and assets in the bankruptcy filing, preventing repayment to creditors. The couple also befriended an elderly widow and allegedly convinced the victim to provide approximately $167,000 in check and credit card transactions over a two-year period with no repayment to the victim.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) conducted the criminal investigation in this case at the March 2013 request of Danbury Township Police in Ottawa County. Prosecuting Attorney Mulligan requested the Ohio Attorney General’s Office be appointed as special assistant prosecutors in April 2014. Prosecutors decided in early June 2014 that the case would be presented to a grand jury at the conclusion of BCI’s investigation.
The couple will make their initial court appearance on September 29th, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., in Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas.
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Documents
Iris Stephenson Indictment (PDF)
Hugh Stephenson Indictment (PDF)
Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840