Legal Aid Receptionist Accused Of ID Theft

A reception at the place people in Jacksonville who can't afford a lawyer go to get free legal help is in trouble with the law, accused of stealing the identities of at least 20 clients.

Federal prosecutors said Tashannyo Adena Medley, who as a temporary employee for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid until a background check revealed a bad check charge in her record, stole about $232,000 through two separate scams.

Medley, 29, allegedly used personal information obtained from clients to obtain thousands of dollars in payday loans.

"If you are so inclined, you can use that information and say 'That is my Social Security number,' and go online and get yourself a small payday loan -- $200 or $300" said Michael Figgins, director of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.

In an unrelated charge, she is also alleged to have submitted fraudulent student loan applications, but there is no record she ever attended any school with the money. The grand jury indictment claims Medley used the money she stole to pay off cars and other personal items.

Authorities estimate she got about $11,000 worth of loans using Social Security numbers from office clients.

"You feel cheated. You feel betrayed," said Bob Figgins, director of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. "You put a lot of trust in the people we hire here."

Medley is free pending her arraignment in court on Monday. Prosecutors said that if convicted, Medley could face up to 20 years in prison.