Ex-Pima County paralegal is facing fraud charges

by Associated Press (February 4th, 2012 @ 8:59am)

TUCSON, Ariz. � A woman who worked for 12 years as a paralegal for the Pima County Attorney's Office is accused of stealing more than $4,000 from the office.

Authorities say the money was intended to reimburse crime victims and witnesses for travel to county Superior Court and per diem costs.

Prosecutors say Brenda Pinckney faces 19 felony charges including fraud, theft, forgery and aggravated taking the identity of another person.

Pinckney was indicted by a county grand jury on Jan. 5 and arraigned Monday. The Cochise County Attorney's Office will continue to handle the case.

The Arizona Daily Star says Pinckney is accused of submitting reimbursement requests for non-existent addresses and for court events that didn't happen between last March and September.

Pinckney is out of jail. Her attorney declines comment.

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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com