Township in Ohio sues 3 banks over checks forged by ex-clerk

CHARDON, Ohio (AP) -- Chester Township has filed a lawsuit against three banks, saying they did not question forged checks cashed by the township's former clerk.
Michael Spellman and his mother pleaded guilty in January to an embezzlement scheme that drained nearly $4.3 million from township bank accounts.
Spellman pleaded guilty to 340 felony counts, including theft in office, tampering with records and forgery related to his actions between 1996 and early last year. His 71-year-old mother, Joan, pleaded guilty to four felony counts for helping cover up the scam.
Both are scheduled to be sentenced March 4.
Today the township sued Bank One, which handled township accounts, and U.S. Bank and Ohio Savings, where Spellman cashed 333 checks. The township also sued Spellman.
The lawsuit filed in Geauga County Common Pleas Court seeks more than $55 million in damages from Bank One, U.S. Bank and Spellman and $825,000 in damages against Ohio Savings.
Officials for the banks could not be reached to comment.
Spellman's charges carry a maximum penalty of 344 years in prison and $855,000 in fines, but lawyers close to the case expect Spellman to get between five and 10 years in prison. Joan Spellman could receive up to 71/2 years in prison and be fined $17,500.