Pictured Above: Alexa Polar and Robin Pabello. Source: KABC.

Two Garden Grove roommates were arrested and charged with two felony counts of forgery, a felony count of grand theft, a felony count of grand theft by embezzlement, and a sentencing enhancement of white-collar crime over $100,000. Alexa Polar worked as a paralegal at a law firm. Polar and her roommate, Robin Pabello, stole a $19,500 check made payable to the firm. They then altered the check to make it payable to Pabello in the amount of $285,000. Once altered, they deposited the check into their account, chartered a private jet to New York City and went on a shopping spree. Polar and Pabello are also accused of stealing cashiers checks to purchase a home in Murietta.

Forgery occurs when you knowingly alter, create, or use a written document with the intent to commit a fraud.  Embezzlement is unlawfully taking something that has been entrusted to you. Embezzlement is usually seen in employment situations. Embezzlement is punished as either grand theft or petty theft, depending on the amount that was embezzled. A common defense to forgery and embezzlement is the lack of intent to steal or defraud. If you are charged with forgery, embezzlement or a white collar crime, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you in fighting your charges or reducing your sentence.