Judge's Gavel Court

Indiana Woman Accused Of DIY Bankruptcy, Complete With Forged Judge’s Signature

Judge's Gavel Court
Judge’s Gavel. TFP File Photo

It seems Christi Lee Dodd, 51, of Fishers, Indiana, took the phrase “do-it-yourself” a little too far when it came to her finances. A federal grand jury has indicted Dodd on charges of wire fraud and forging a judge’s signature in a creative attempt to escape her debts.

Dodd, who apparently has a fondness for bankruptcy court, first filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2015, successfully wiping out her debts. But when she tried again with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2019, things didn’t go as smoothly. The case was dismissed in 2022, leaving Dodd still responsible for her outstanding debts.

READ: Pennsylvania Man Gets 25 Years For Horrific Child Sex Crimes

Not one to be deterred, Dodd allegedly took matters into her own hands. Prosecutors say she forged a discharge order for her 2019 case, complete with a fake judge’s signature, seemingly using her 2015 discharge order as a template. She then emailed this “official” document to a financial institution in hopes of securing a line of credit for her trucking business.

Unfortunately for Dodd, her artistic talents weren’t quite up to par with her legal ingenuity. The authorities caught on, and now she’s facing up to 25 years in federal prison if convicted. Perhaps she should have considered a career in graphic design instead.

READ: Former Louisiana Deputy Sentenced To Prison For Brutally Assaulting Detainee

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Trustee Program are taking this case very seriously, emphasizing the importance of protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.

Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.

Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.

Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.

Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Login To Facebook To Comment