Woman arraigned on fraud charges

The Daily Inter Lake

A Columbia Falls woman has pleaded innocent to using stolen social security numbers and dates of birth to open fraudulent accounts with a Denver-based telecommunications company.

During her arraignment Thursday in U.S. District Court in Missoula, Andrea Mackowiak, 33, pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and identity theft.

Federal prosecutors allege that, beginning in August 2006, Mackowiak stole up to 10 Social Security numbers - and their associated names and dates of birth - while working at a Whitefish orthopedic clinic.

Mackowiak and others used the stolen identities to open fraudulent accounts with Qwest Communications - which provides phone, Internet and satellite TV service - and then to avoid paying the bills, according to court documents.

She is currently released on special conditions.

If convicted, Mackowiak could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.