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Golden Member
A Dexter Township trustee is expected to be arraigned in Detroit today on a felony charge of impersonating an assistant U.S. attorney in a failed attempt to get tenants evicted from the home of an in-law.
Marcia Ottoman, 43, a Republican who is serving her first four-year term in the $4,800-a-year post in western Washtenaw County, is charged with impersonating Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Varner, a federal official based in Detroit.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Ottoman could not be reached for comment.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Ann Arbor today, Ottoman sent a series of e-mails and a letter to her attorney that were purportedly written by Varner. The e-mails used the e-mail address cvarner01gov@yahoo.com and the letter, on "Office of Justice Programs" letterhead, threatened to charge Ottoman's in-laws with harboring an illegal alien if they did not evict their tenant.
"Evict the tenants as soon as possible," said the letter written over Varner's signature.
"I am giving you this opportunity to save yourselves and your farm. We will put into prison any and all involved in this action."
Part of the letter purportedly from Varner was written in all capital letters, saying "DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE AN OUT!"
The attorney, John Forczak of Ypsilanti, told the FBI he delivered the letter to the property owners, Joseph and Dorothy Ottoman, believing it and the e-mails were genuine. Forczak could not be reached for comment.
Dexter Township Supervisor Pat Kelly, who serves as an Independent, said she was aware of the investigation. The charge would not necessarily affect Ottoman's status on the board unless she is convicted, Kelly said.
"I hope this is over rather quickly," Kelly said.
According to an FBI affidavit attached to the complaint, Varner said he did not know Ottoman or how the letter purportedly from him was generated.
An official familiar with the dispute, who did not want to be identified, said Ottoman wanted to move into the home, which her husband stands to inherit, but her husband's parents did not want to evict their tenant.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/UPDATE/704100427/1003
Marcia Ottoman, 43, a Republican who is serving her first four-year term in the $4,800-a-year post in western Washtenaw County, is charged with impersonating Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Varner, a federal official based in Detroit.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Ottoman could not be reached for comment.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Ann Arbor today, Ottoman sent a series of e-mails and a letter to her attorney that were purportedly written by Varner. The e-mails used the e-mail address cvarner01gov@yahoo.com and the letter, on "Office of Justice Programs" letterhead, threatened to charge Ottoman's in-laws with harboring an illegal alien if they did not evict their tenant.
"Evict the tenants as soon as possible," said the letter written over Varner's signature.
"I am giving you this opportunity to save yourselves and your farm. We will put into prison any and all involved in this action."
Part of the letter purportedly from Varner was written in all capital letters, saying "DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE AN OUT!"
The attorney, John Forczak of Ypsilanti, told the FBI he delivered the letter to the property owners, Joseph and Dorothy Ottoman, believing it and the e-mails were genuine. Forczak could not be reached for comment.
Dexter Township Supervisor Pat Kelly, who serves as an Independent, said she was aware of the investigation. The charge would not necessarily affect Ottoman's status on the board unless she is convicted, Kelly said.
"I hope this is over rather quickly," Kelly said.
According to an FBI affidavit attached to the complaint, Varner said he did not know Ottoman or how the letter purportedly from him was generated.
An official familiar with the dispute, who did not want to be identified, said Ottoman wanted to move into the home, which her husband stands to inherit, but her husband's parents did not want to evict their tenant.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/UPDATE/704100427/1003
