Johnson, Schuette Announce Forgery Charges Against Ex-Department of State Employee

Contact: John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060

May 15,  2012 

 LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced criminal charges against a former Michigan Department of State employee after an investigation revealed fraudulent titles being issued from a Dearborn branch office. The charges result from an investigation by the Department of Attorney General following a Secretary of State's Internal Security Division referral and were brought by the Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit.

"Our department is committed to ensuring that all of our transactions are handled with utmost integrity," Johnson said. "We take any ethical breach extremely seriously and in all instances will notify the proper authorities and pursue charges when warranted."

"The taxpayers expect public workers to exercise their duties with respect and integrity," said Schuette. "Corruption will be tackled and eliminated wherever it is found."

                "I applaud Secretary Johnson for maintaining strong internal safeguards that protect taxpayers' money and ensure corrupt public servants are brought to justice," continued Schuette.

Former Department of State employee Shameshra Hall, 24, of Warren, is charged for her alleged role in the issuance of seven fraudulent Michigan motor vehicle title applications. Hall's job responsibilities included verifying the identities of individuals requesting motor vehicle titles, in order to ensure the requestor's identity properly matched the identity listed on the title.

Between December 2011 and January 2012, it is alleged seven fraudulent Michigan motor vehicle titles were issued without ensuring proper identity of the requestor.  Internal monitoring by the Department of State led to an investigation and subsequent referral to the Attorney General's Office.

                Hall was charged with the following 17 counts today in Dearborn's 19^th District Court:

• One Count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison;

• Eight Counts of Forgery, a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison; and.

• Eight Counts of Uttering and Publishing, a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

                Hall was arrested by Special Agents from the Department of Attorney General this morning and was arraigned in Dearborn's 19^th District Court by Judge Mark Somers.  Bond was set at $50,000/10%.  Hall will next appear in court for a Preliminary Exam at 9:00A.M. on May 25, 2012 before Judge Richard Wygonik.

Hall's employment with the Department of State was terminated on Feb. 28, 2012.

                A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

###

For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau, Michigan Department of State,

517-373-2520; or John Sellek and Joy Yearout, Attorney General's Office, 517-373-8060.