Money Orders Bogus Phony Draft Claims State Will Pay Off Dismissed Liens

Bogus money orders, apparently tied to a dismissed $200 billion claim against the state, are being passed in western Washington.

So far, none of the fraudulent “certified money assignment drafts” against the state have turned up in the Spokane area, officials said Monday.

The scheme apparently is linked to a self-described constitutionalist from Seattle who filed the lien last year.

The concept is similar to bogus bank drafts passed in a half dozen other states this spring by citizen militia and government-protest groups.

In the Seattle case, Gene Goosman alleged nine state officials, including Gov. Mike Lowry, weren’t fulfilling their oaths of office, and therefore all citizens of the state were owed money.

The lien was dismissed in Thurston County Superior Court.

This spring, the state’s Division of Risk Management, which processes claims, began receiving “asservations.”

Individuals filing that paperwork contended the lien money was still owed and collection was assigned to a third party.

So far, 180 of the “asservations” have been filed against the state, said state risk manager Betty Reed.

As part of the same scheme, she said 22 of the fraudulent drafts, totaling $300,000, have been passed in the Seattle area.

The phony drafts were used for everything from pricey sports cars to cable television bills.

Three cars were the only items that changed hands. They have been returned.

In many cases, the phony drafts were mailed or left in lock boxes, so there wasn’t an immediate opportunity for rejection, Reed said.

The drafts say they are redeemable at “full face value” when presented to the state’s Division of Risk Management.

“These are absolutely bogus and worthless,” Reed said.

King County police are investigating the case.

, DataTimes