Man on vacation admits stealing, forging checks

EAST ST. LOUIS— A southern Illinois man faces up to 60 years in prison and $2 million in fines now that he’s admitted in federal court that he passed forged checks he stole during a vacation in Hawaii.

Forty-one-year-old Gregory Martindale of Albers pleaded guilty Tuesday in East St. Louis to two counts of obtaining money from a financial institution by false and fraudulent representations.

Authorities say Martindale stole checks from the person from whom he was renting a room while vacationing. After returning to Illinois, Martindale forged two of the checks and passed them off for a combined $39,000.

Martindale’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2. Each count carries up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.