United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

MOTHER, DAUGHTER ADMIT PASSING COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY AT CASINOS AND SHORELINE BUSINESSES

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIA McDONALD BOWE, 48, of Gregory Road, Norwich, and her daughter, KEYETT L. McDONALD, 30, of Prospect Street, Norwich, each pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of uttering counterfeit United States Treasury obligations and aiding and abetting.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, from December 2005 to April 2006, BOWE, McDONALD and others were involved in a scheme in which counterfeit currency was manufactured and then passed at southeastern Connecticut casinos and businesses.  In pleading guilty, BOWE admitted that she passed $200 in counterfeit currency at a Stop and Shop supermarket in Waterford, $100 in counterfeit currency at a Bank of America branch in Waterford, and $1750 in counterfeit currency at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville.

On April 8, 2006, a State of Connecticut search and seizure warrant was executed at BOWE’s 1 Gregory Road residence and $21,030 in counterfeit U.S. currency was seized.  Also seized were additional uncut and partially completed counterfeit currency, computer components, scissors, unopened boxes of resume paper, a counterfeit detector pen, two packages of ink, a ruler, and glue sticks.

McDONALD admitted that, on February 4, 2006, she passed $2900 in counterfeit currency at the Foxwoods Casino.

In each case, the defendants were able to pass the counterfeit United States obligations prior to detection by the business establishments.

Judge Thompson has scheduled sentencing for June 20, 2008, at which time BOWE and McDONALD each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  Each defendant also faces repayment of funds to the involved business establishment in the form of restitution.

This matter has been investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Connecticut State Police Casino Unit and the Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov