Whatare thepotential ramifications for misuse of a corporate credit card?

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Whatare thepotential ramifications for misuse of a corporate credit card?

My brother recently revealed some information to me and I would like to know what could happen. He was issued a credit card in his name by his former company. When he left that company (for a different job) that card was not cancelled. According to him, he fell upon some serious and hard times, realized the card had not been cancelled and used the credit card to purchase food/gas. He did however immediately pay it back. What’s the deal here, what could he be up against? We’re just concerned. BTW, I confiscated the card and cut it up with my own 2 hands so this wouldn’t happen again.

Asked on July 5, 2011 under Criminal Law, Virginia

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

1) If the money were not repaid, then he could be sued for its return; but since it was, he should not face civil liability (except *maybe* for any interest charges or fees he did not fully make good, if any).

2) Even though he repaid, knowingly using someone else's credit card is a form of theft; he could theoretically face criminal liability. That said, if he did quickly and voluntarily repay the money, it is unlikely that charges would be pressed; and if there were, while he should get an attorney to defend and represent him, there would be an excellent chance he could get the charges dismissed, conditionally dismissed (e.g. they are dismissed so long as he does not do something like this again within a certain period), or at least bargainined to a minimal level and penalty.


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