Forger Shows Up In Court With Phony Doctor Note
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) -- A California woman facing nearly five years in prison for forging drug prescriptions showed up for sentencing with a phony doctor's note seeking a delay in the proceedings.
Michelle Elaine Astumian was free on $45,000 bail and pleaded no contest in January to felony counts of forgery and using a fraudulent check.
The 41-year-old woman arrived Monday for sentencing in a San Luis Obispo County courtroom and presented a note with a doctor's signature asking for a postponement.
Prosecutor Dave Pomeroy called the doctor, who said the note is a forgery.
The judge immediately ordered Astumian into custody and she collapsed to the floor. An ambulance took her to a hospital.
Pomeroy told the San Luis Obispo County Tribune that Astumian will be sentenced later, but he doesn't know when.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)