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Topeka Business Owner Admits Writing Thousands Of Bad Checks

Reporter: Associated Press

Thursday, March 14, 2013

A Topeka business owner has admitted writing thousands of bad checks that prosecutors say inflated his bank balances by more than $600,000.

The U.S. Attorney's office says 48-year-old John Charles Humpage pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to one count of bank fraud. He faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine at his sentencing, scheduled for June 10.

Humpage did business under various names, including Crescent Limousine and Yellow Cab of Topeka.

Prosecutors say Humpage engaged in a check-kiting scheme over four months in 2008, depositing more than 5,000 bad checks in bank accounts and withdrawing the money before the checks bounced.