Manager of 2 motels arrested for check fraud


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Provo Police are investigating what appears to be a major check fraud scam involving the manager of two motels in Utah County.

The Days Inn is one of the motels where police say the suspect was involved in the check fraud, the other is in Provo.

So far, it appears she stole more than $150,000 with the fraudulent checks. Last night, officers arrested 49-year-old Amita Desai on 50 counts of forging documents and also theft by deception.

Desai leases the EconoLodge motel in Provo and the Days Inn in Lehi. Detectives say the woman was altering checks written by the owners of the motels to pay bills, and that Desai was changing the checks to make herself the payee.

Manager of 2 motels arrested for check fraud

Police also believe she also was changing the amounts the checks were worth.

The fraud started back in May, and the suspect is accused of depositing more than 50 altered checks into her own bank account, totaling at least $150,000. Court documents state the suspect admitted to police that she deposited the checks in her account but denied being involved in altering any of the checks.

We called Provo Police today, but they didn't want to comment on the case, saying it is still under investigation. But detectives apparently had enough evidence to book Desai into jail, and the judge has set bail at $150,000, cash only. She will appear in court next week.

E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com

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Sam Penrod

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