A woman who was convicted twice in the past three months on charges related to theft, forgery and identity theft has been convicted on additional charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
Deborah K. McKissick, 37, was found guilty in Lycoming County Court Tuesday by Judge Richard A. Gray in a non-jury trial for taking a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe that was supposed to be surrendered for bankruptcy proceedings.
While working as a paralegal at Elliott B. Weiss and Associates city law firm, McKissick took possession of the SUV during a meeting around Jan. 11, 2010, with clients Jon and Kelly Jean and made payments on it herself instead of turning it over for bankruptcy proceedings, according to police.
State police impounded the vehicle on Aug. 21, 2010, after it was reported abandoned in Loyalsock Township. A registration check showed that the Jeans still were listed as the owners, according to police.
McKissick's attorney, Peter T. Campana, said she didn't attempt to lie about the whereabouts of the Tahoe and the leinholder - Sovereign Bank - did not lose any money.
"Jon and Kelly Jean have suffered no loss. Nobody's out anything here," Campana said.
The attorney said the only thing McKissick may be guilty of is an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge.
Assistant District Attorney Aaron S. Biichle argued that McKissick never intended to return the SUV.
"This isn't a joyride. This is over a period of 10 months," he said.
In March, McKissick was found guilty of identity theft and theft by deception for signing her name as power of attorney for a client at the same law firm. She took more than $19,000 from Silvya Greenabaum's investment accounts and transferred the money to her own account without authorization, according to police.
In April, McKissick pleaded guilty to forgery charges and was found guilty of identity theft for signing her name in place of Scott C. James, another law firm client.
According to investigators, James brought bills into the law firm to be paid sometime in 2010. McKissick instead signed her name on bank checks James delivered and took more than $10,000 from his account.
McKissick's sentencing for all charges will be Monday before Judge Gray.
