Diocese victim of check forgery

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Police said the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is the victim of a check forgery that appears to have netted someone in the United Arab Emirates $49,500.

Police said the diocese office was notified Tuesday that a Wachovia Bank in New Jersey had processed a diocesan paycheck that appeared to have been altered. The check was for $49,500.

The diocese checked with a local branch of Huntington Bank, which confirmed that the check, dated Jan. 19, had been cashed. The check was made out to Soufan International Services in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, police said.