Cook County State's Attorney's Office

Cook County State's Attorney's Office:
Press Releases

Richard A. Devine
Cook County State's Attorney
500 Richard J. Daley Center
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-3423

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 2003

State's Attorney Employee Charge With ID Theft

An employee of the Cook County State's Attorney's computer department has been charged with identity theft and wire fraud for allegedly applying for credit cards online with the identities of at least 10 Cook County State's Attorney employees, authorities said.

To avoid a conflict of interest, Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine has turned over its investigation to the High Tech Crimes Bureau in the office of Attorney General Lisa Madigan, which will prosecute the case.

"These allegations show that anyone can fall victim to identity theft," Devine said.

"Whether it's a fellow employee at a desk nearby or a con artist halfway around the world, all of us need to be alert to the possibility that someone may be stealing our personal financial information," Madigan said.

Joseph Barhoumeh, 24, of 6137 N. Springfield, was arrested and charged Thursday with two Class 3 felony offenses that carry a maximum five-year prison term.

Investigators from the state's attorney office and the U.S. Postal Service said their joint investigation began when an assistant state's attorney was contacted by a credit card company to confirm a change of address. The employee, who had neither applied for credit nor moved, contacted the State's Attorney's Governmental and Financial Crimes unit.

Several other state's attorney employees reported being contacted for address verification for credit card applications they never made. The fraudulent applications were allegedly made beginning this past June and ending in August.

Attorney General Madigan's office was asked to join in the case once it became apparent that charges against Barhoumeh were probable. Barhoumeh was arrested and charged late Thursday and is scheduled for a bond hearing this afternoon in Bond Court at 26th and California.

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