A California woman has been arrested on charges of defrauding businesses by pretending to sell them advertising space in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Manhattan prosecutors said Wednesday that 38-year-old Julia Sorokin of San Diego is charged with identity theft and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors say Sorokin created Internet sites that included the newspapers' names and advertised cheap ad rates. Prosecutors were contacted when the ads failed to appear and advertisers found her telephone and Web site weren't working.
They say she took in nearly $48,000 while working the scheme.
Defense lawyer Francis Mainiero says Sorokin will plead not guilty at her arraignment Thursday.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
