The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
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Ottoman pleads guilty to federal charges
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008
Dexter Township Trustee Marcia Ottoman, 44, pleaded guilty Tuesday to impersonating a federal prosecutor and wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced.
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Andrew G. Arena, FBI Special Agent in Charge, joined Murphy in Tuesday's announcement.
Ottoman was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2007.
The indictment charged that between Oct. 11 and Dec. 18, 2006, Ottoman created false documentation pretending to be Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Varner, a federal prosecutor in Detroit; and demanded control of real estate that belonged to her in-laws.
The indictment also charged Ottoman with fraudulently using e-mail messages to further her scheme.
Ottoman admitted her guilt at the plea hearing.
The indictment followed a criminal complaint filed against Ottoman on April 9, 2007.
The complaint alleged that Ottoman created an e-mail account in Varner's name and also authored a letter in Varner's name on forged U.S. Department of Justice letterhead.
Ottoman utilized e-mails and the letter to attempt to evict tenants from a Dexter Township home rented from her husband's parents, apparently so Ottoman and her husband could move in.
A Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy alerted the FBI to the scheme.
"Impersonating a federal official for the purpose of corruptly influencing another to give up property rights is a serious crime," Murphy said in his announcement.
"Such conduct can not only harm the victim, but also undermine the general public's trust in the integrity of public officials."
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison; impersonating a federal official is punishable by up to three years in prison. Each crime carries a maximum possible fine of $250,000.
Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. July 14 before Judge Julian Abele Cook.
Attempts to reach Ottoman for comment on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Her telephone number as listed on the township's Web site was "temporarily disconnected at the customer's request."
When contacted by cell phone she angrily refused comment and hung up.
With the guilty plea, Ottoman's future on the township board remains unclear.
"I'm not sure what that means; we are looking into it with the Michigan Townships Association," said Dexter Township Supervisor Pat Kelly.
Because the federal charges were unrelated to her actions as a township trustee, the governor would have to remove Ottoman from office, Kelly said.
"With a conviction on a felony, the governor would have to remove her; the board has no power to do that," Kelly said.
"Should we as a board ask her to resign? We don't know."
Ottoman's term on the board expires on Nov. 20 this year.
"She has told me she is not running for re-election," Kelly said. "She has not filed, as of now."
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