[cat0303]

Friend of mine used his sister's credit card fraudulently and bought merchandise totaling over $17,000. I know this happened over two years ago, because I have know him that long and it happened before I met him.

I know he has been paying the monthly invoice for his sister's credit card for at least the past year, with her knowledge and consent, and he intends to do so until the debt is resolved. However, she still threatens to file charges against him.

1. What kind of criminal charge(s) could be filed against him?
2. What is the statute of limitations on the charge(s)?
3. Is there some kind of implied resolution contract between him and his sister since he is paying the bill with her knowledge and consent, which might be pertinent to his sentence if she should have him arrested and he is convicted.

[cat0303]

By the way, referring to the questions I just posted...this is his first offense (no other arrests/convictions on his record for anything).

[cat0303]

Oh...sorry....forgot to mention that this is in Pennsylvania (just in case this influences your answer).

[aaron]

There are a wide range of offenses that might be charged, depending upon the full facts and circumstances. The limitations period for most would be two years; for some (e.g., if criminal forgery was involved) it would be five years.

The longer he follows this informal payment scheme with his sister, the more likely it would be that a police agency or prosecuting attorney would regard this as a civil matter, and not prosecute.

[cat0303]

Thank you, Aaron.