A mobile notary in Cincinnati, Ohio, received a call from a couple requesting document notarization. The meeting took place in a parking lot, where the couple presented deeds transferring ownership of four local properties. They wanted the notary to authenticate the signatures of the current homeowners, but there was one major issue—the homeowners were not present.
The notary later admitted to a reporter that the couple persuaded her to notarize the documents despite the absence of the signers. She likely believed that would be the end of it, but she was mistaken.
With the notarized deeds, the couple filed the documents with the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office. Since the documents appeared legitimate, the office accepted them, transferring ownership of the properties. However, none of the actual homeowners had signed the deeds, making it a fraudulent scheme to steal the homes.
When the scam came to light, law enforcement visited the notary. The couple was eventually convicted and sentenced to prison, but the investigation didn’t stop there.
According to news reports, the notary played a key role in enabling the fraudulent transfer of the four homes. As a result, she was charged with four counts of tampering with records, according to the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. At the time of this article, her case was still pending.
In addition to facing criminal charges and public scrutiny, the notary lost her commission. According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, her commission, which was valid through 2023, is now listed as inactive or resigned. What started as a mobile notary business ended with potential criminal penalties and the loss of her career.
Failing to ensure the presence of signers during a notarization is the most common misconduct claim against notaries. This case illustrates why such a violation is taken so seriously. Had the notary refused to act against protocol, she could have avoided legal trouble, and the fraudulent scheme might have been stopped.
The case also highlights the significant authority involved in notarization. A notarized signature on a deed serves as evidence to county offices that the signatures is presumed accurate, even if they are forged.
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