Steve Turley charged with 10 Felonies
Provo Municipal Councilman Steve Turley was charged yesterday with communications fraud, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and pattern of unlawful activity. In all the charges amounted to 10 separate 2nd degree felonies. These charges stem from accusations that Turley has been taking money and property from several people in order to illegally obtain more property. Although there are 10 felonies that Turley is facing, seven of them are for communications fraud.
Communications Fraud in Utah
In Utah the crime of communications fraud is a very broad and a somewhat vague statute that is basically a variation of theft. The statute defines communications fraud as devising any scheme to defraud another or to obtain from another money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. The severity of the offense ranges from a class B misdemeanor to a second degree felony depending on the value of the stolen items. The harshest part of the statute, however, is that prosecutors can charge a separate count of communications fraud for each communication, whether it be separate communications with the same person or with different people. This is why Turley is facing so many felony charges. Although the facts of the prosecutions case against Turley are not known the fact that he has been charged with second degree felonies means that the property he allegedly obtained was either sensitive personal identifying information or was valued at greater than $5,000.
Utah County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know is facing charges of communications fraud it is important to hire an attorney right away. In most cases communications fraud charges stem from legitimate business practices that have gone bad. The attorney’s at Provo Criminal Defense will thoroughly investigate each charge of communications fraud against you and make sure that you are not convicted for crimes that you did not commit. Call us today to set up a free consultation.
