Delanson woman pleads guilty to check cashing fraud

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Schenectady County woman pleaded guilty to running a check cashing fraud scheme in Albany County Court on Thursday. Elizabeth Dolder, 51, of Delanson, pleaded guilty to six counts of a 34-count indictment saying she participated in a counterfeit check-cashing ring.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares said Dolder pleaded guilty to five crimes from August to October 2023. An investigation revealed she and an associate stole checks from mailboxes, washed them, then increased the amount and made them payable to themselves or fictitious identities. Dolder pleaded guilty to crimes including:

• Aug 22: Dolder cashed a forged $2,500 check at a bank on Central Avenue in Colonie.
• Aug 24: Dolder helped another defendant cash a forged $2,500 check at a bank on Western Avenue in Guilderland.
• Oct 14: Using a fake identity, Dolder attempted to cash two forged checks amounting to $3,000 at a bank on New Kramer Road in Albany.
• Oct 19: Dolder used an Iowa counterfeit driver's license with a fake identity to cash a $985.98 forged check at a bank on Albany Shaker Road in Albany.
• Oct 19: Dolder again used the Iowa counterfeit driver's license to cash a $980 forged check at a bank on Wolf Road in Colonie.

Dolder's sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, Aug 22. She faces up to 15 years in prison and will be required to pay restitution to the victims.

DA Soares said that although financial fraud might not grab headlines, the crimes still significantly impact communities and the victims. "In times of fiscal uncertainty, rampant theft cannot be tolerated," he said.