A man who charged over $30,000 on various credit
cards using rapper/actor Will Smith’s identity was sentenced to 37 months in
federal prison.
Carol Lomax, 42, of Duquesne, PA. pleaded guilty
to one count of using unauthorized credit cards in September. Lomax illegally
opened 14 accounts under the name Willard Smith, Smith’s full name.
Lomax used his home address when he opened each
account. Authorities found receipts and documents in Smith’s name, as well as
a computer that Lomax used to search the internet with to find personal information
on various celebrity figures.
Lomax has been ordered to pay $64,076 in restitution.
Lomax also made purchases in the name of another celebrity, not made to the
public.
In 1999 Lomax pulled the same scan in the name
of Atlanta Hawks basketball star Steve Smith. Lomax was caught only after he
racked up $81,000. In that case, a federal judge ordered Lomax to pay $81,000
back to American Express. He was also ordered to pay another $190,000 that he
charged to other people’s cards.
In related news, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
have signed on with UPN to develop a sitcom based on their household. The will
be fiction, not a reality show, and Smith and Pinkett will not star in the show.
The power duo will also executive produce the show.
