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Paralegal Forges $285K Law Firm Check for NYC Spending Spree

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on December 18, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A California paralegal forged a check for $285,000 to give massive donations to charity.

If only.

In reality, the paralegal, Alexa Johzen Polar, and her accomplice, Robin Antonella Pabello, used the money to charter a private jet to New York. There, the women rented five hotel rooms near Times Square. They then went on a luxurious shopping spree at Tiffany and Co. and Montblanc.

They also put down a $233,000 deposit on a $3.7 million home in Murrieta, California.

The duo was apparently deep in debt, which is why they decided to steal more money. Apparently they just "wanted to enjoy life without any cares for a while," according to Cypress Police Det. Greg Faessel.

Ah, wouldn't we all. Can you imagine how great life would be if you didn't have to worry about billable hours, pleasing that cranky partner, and paying off your student loans?

Polar and Pabello's plan sounds great, minus the part where they were busted while still in New York, reports the Los Angeles Times. Nothing ruins a party like getting arrested.

The check that they stole and forged was originally made out to Polar's law firm in the amount of $19,500. The women altered the payee's name and the check amount so that it totaled $285,000. Unsurprisingly, the issuing bank rejected the check after it was processed. That's when the police got involved.

The paralegal who forged the check and her accomplice were both charged with crimes. They also face a sentencing enhancement because they committed a white collar crime that was more than $100,000. They could end up spending up to 6 years and 4 months in prison.

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