FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2009

Warren County Prosecutor, Rachel A. Hutzel
500 Justice Drive, Lebanon, OH 45036
(513) 870-3617
http://www.co.warren.oh.us/prosecutor/

Amanda Johnson, a 25 year old Spring Valley resident, was found guilty on one count of grand theft, one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and three counts of telecommunications fraud. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Her coconspirator and former Warren County corrections officer, Linda Abshear, plead guilty to grand theft, forgery and telecommunications fraud in September of 2008.

Johnson and Abshear were involved in an advanced scheme to obtain student loan money and use the money to purchase new cars and luxury items. In total the two were able to fraudulently obtain close to $100,000.

"This is an example of people trying to take advantage of the system," Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said. "There are a lot of people out there who use student loans to educate themselves, these women were taking the money and buying luxury items," Hutzel added. "When you illegally take advantage of people in Warren County you are going to be punished."