| For Immediate Release Case # 08CF2135
July 18, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
ORANGE COUNTY COURT CLERK CHARGED WITH FIXING TRAFFIC TICKETS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
SANTA ANA – A clerk in the traffic department of the Orange County Superior Court, who was entrusted with inputting data, has been charged with one felony count of altering public documents. Heidi Lynn Housel, 32, Anaheim, was charged with fixing 18 tickets on behalf of family members and friends. If convicted, Housel faces up to four years in state prison. She is expected to be arraigned Aug. 6, 2008, in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Between Dec. 1, 2005, and May 1, 2007, Housel is accused of violating her position of trust as a court clerk at the Central Justice Center by dismissing 18 traffic tickets issued to various family members and friends. She is accused of using the computer access at the computer station assigned to her to alter the public documents. A co-worker reported a suspicious dismissal of a ticket to her supervisor. An audit of the defendant’s user identification number revealed the unjustified dismissals.
Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
###