As generous as I am - someone crossed the line....

[Arkteia]

There is a huge Russian Baptist community in our state and they usually make a living as roofers, constructors, or cleaners. They do a very good job. Now I can not assume that you are automatically very honest just because you are very religious, but they do not drink or smoke or use drugs (at least older people do not; kids are a different thing). They may do a better/worse job and everyone slacks off with time, but they are not in such a desperate need for money to steal. I do not think Perry's cleaner stole because it was her habit. I also do not think she was desperate in a normal way. She could have asked Perry if she were sick, or what not. But to steal and cash checks means she was committing a crime. And that usually indicates a different kind of desperation, she needed the money immediately. So very religious people are usually less prone to develop problems that lead to stealing.

umm..wow..If you're hinting what I think you are Crasru, are you suggesting that people that are more religious are less likely to develop drug or alcohol problems than those that are as religious?
If so, than all I can say is that is an...interesting statement.
Perry also did not mention any such thing in his post, so I think it is rather unhelpful to jump to conclusions and make sweeping generalizations as such..I'm unsure what you think gives you such a clear insight into this woman's mind and motivation

.




Perry, I am very sorry for the hassle you are currently going through and the breach if trust.

AJ, while I am very open-minded about religiousity or lack thereof, I have noticed that certain (not all) groups have all their lives revolving around religion. And while nothing is written in stone, I have never seen a single case of stealing among the Baptist cleaning ladies that I or my friends have employed. As to my conclusion about substances, yes I might have jumped at it too soon. And probably, the situation is way more complicated. I was just trying to explain to myself the motives of a person who had excellent references and a business to think of. Stealing money would have been bad enough, but forging a signature on a check soon after stealing shows such lack of judgment. Usually it happens when people are in desperate, urgent need. Can't wait till tomorrow. I was thinking about possible reasons for such a desperate need, and this is the first thing that came to my mind. Especially since she worked for Perry and likely knew that she could ask him for help. But you are right, I should not jump to conclusions. I hope that Perry will keep us posted, though

 

[arjunajane]

AJ, while I am very open-minded about religiousity or lack thereof, I have noticed that certain (not all) groups have all their lives revolving around religion. And while nothing is written in stone, I have never seen a single case of stealing among the Baptist cleaning ladies that I or my friends have employed. As to my conclusion about substances, yes I might have jumped at it too soon. And probably, the situation is way more complicated. I was just trying to explain to myself the motives of a person who had excellent references and a business to think of. Stealing money would have been bad enough, but forging a signature on a check soon after stealing shows such lack of judgment. Usually it happens when people are in desperate, urgent need. Can't wait till tomorrow. I was thinking about possible reasons for such a desperate need, and this is the first thing that came to my mind. Especially since she worked for Perry and likely knew that she could ask him for help. But you are right, I should not jump to conclusions. I hope that Perry will keep us posted, though

Crasru,
thank you for clarifying your post. I didn't realize you were talking about only some small groups of religions/faiths that you had personally been in contact with, as it was your statement: "So very religious people are usually less prone to develop problems that lead to stealing." that I took issue with, and would continue to say is untrue.

I can also sympathize how your judgement may be related to your own current thread and the case of the biller stealing from you, for what sounds like similar motivations to what you have proposed here, perhaps..
At the end of the day, only Perry and the woman know her true motives, and although it may not excuse stealing - people can become desperate and in urgent need of money for many many reasons, not only substance abuse.

For now, I think we should leave this discussion here, especially considering I recall it being against policy to discuss religion

 

[perry]

UPDATE:

Today my previous housecleaner was interviewed by the police - and admitted to stealing and forging the check. This follows my picking their picture out of a police lineup of pictures last week (which is much different than they show on TV - and is a lot harder than you would think as they really did come up with a pile of photos of very similar looking people in identical clothing no less - and I rarely saw my housecleaner).

Charges will now be filed and the case is now being turned over to the DA's office for prosecution. This means that I will likely have to testify in court someday on this.

So here is more of the story:

1) Said person's real name was not the one I knew her by.

2) A search of the Wisconsin Circuit Court record system shows that said person has a 33 previous filed court cases (which include divorce, and a few speeding tickets) in about the last decade and has spent time in jail) under both her maiden name and her previous married name - and also has several other active charges which the DA's office is currently working on.

Said person's boyfriend (not husband) has about twice as filed court cases (some of which were speeding tickets) - and has also spent time in jail.

For a comparison; a search on myself shows 2 previous court cases (speeding tickets that I paid).

3) Discussions with the detective on how to prevent hiring someone with a similar background in the future produced the following advice:

-- Ask questions about their background and life story: is it consistent - are there things you can check out, etc.

-- Do a really good look at their ID card (normally a state drivers license). Does it look real or not (and most common criminals are unlikely to purchase high quality fakes - which are expensive; and those who will get the high quality fakes are unlikely to be involved in petty theft like this).

-- Here in the state of Wisconsin you can look up anyone's name on the Wisconsin Circuit Court web access and find out if there have been legal cases in the last 15 - 20 years. Be sure to pay attention to address so sort out common names. Basic case summaries are available. Different states vary on what you can look up.

-- Check references and family history in the area. In this case I had checked references - but a lot of people do not even check them.


Hope this helps someone

Perry

 

[Autumnovember]

UPDATE:

Today my previous housecleaner was interviewed by the police - and admitted to stealing and forging the check. This follows my picking their picture out of a police lineup of pictures last week (which is much different than they show on TV - and is a lot harder than you would think as they really did come up with a pile of photos of very similar looking people in identical clothing no less - and I rarely saw my housecleaner).

Charges will now be filed and the case is now being turned over to the DA's office for prosecution. This means that I will likely have to testify in court someday on this.

So here is more of the story:

1) Said person's real name was not the one I knew her by.

2) A search of the Wisconsin Circuit Court record system shows that said person has a 33 previous filed court cases (which include divorce, and a few speeding tickets) in about the last decade and has spent time in jail) under both her maiden name and her previous married name - and also has several other active charges which the DA's office is currently working on.

Said person's boyfriend (not husband) has about twice as filed court cases (some of which were speeding tickets) - and has also spent time in jail.

For a comparison; a search on myself shows 2 previous court cases (speeding tickets that I paid).

3) Discussions with the detective on how to prevent hiring someone with a similar background in the future produced the following advice:

-- Ask questions about their background and life story: is it consistent - are there things you can check out, etc.

-- Do a really good look at their ID card (normally a state drivers license). Does it look real or not (and most common criminals are unlikely to purchase high quality fakes - which are expensive; and those who will get the high quality fakes are unlikely to be involved in petty theft like this).

-- Here in the state of Wisconsin you can look up anyone's name on the Wisconsin Circuit Court web access and find out if there have been legal cases in the last 15 - 20 years. Be sure to pay attention to address so sort out common names. Basic case summaries are available. Different states vary on what you can look up.

-- Check references and family history in the area. In this case I had checked references - but a lot of people do not even check them.


Hope this helps someone

Perry

Perry, I'm glad the situation is being rectified. Totally crazy about all the information that ended up coming out about her. Shame on her. I'm glad she will be punished for her actions. A very very good lesson learned to everyone here, in my opinion.

 

[gemgirl]

I'm so sorry that this happened to you perry. It's unfortunate for your cleaning lady and a very uncomfortable situation for you. I'd have to agree with some of what's been said already. Treat your checkbook like cash and keep it locked up until you yourself need it. I have two rooms in my house that no one is ever welcome in, no company, no friends, no one, and that is for our safety. If we have a group of people over and I can't keep track of everyone's wanderings? I just close the doors and lock those rooms. Unfortunately, that's what you have to do these days, but it will keep your things safe.