Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) – A Rochester man who was charged with submitting bogus rebate forms to Rochester Public Utilities has pleaded guilty.

The case that was filed against 43-year-old James Gay last year listed 24 felony forgery counts and one charge of theft by swindle.

The investigation against Gay began in 2017 when he was contracted to install a new air-conditioning unit. The criminal complaint says the property owner later discovered Gay had installed a used unit. Investigators then discovered Gay had submitted 27 rebate forms to RPU. He was accused of falsifying some of the documents and also forging the signatures of customers. The rebates he collected totaled more than $5600.

Under a plea deal, Gay admitted to three gross misdemeanor forgery charges. He was ordered to pay $5500 in restitution and $3,000 in fines and fees. The judge also placed Gay on probation for two years.

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