Police investigating counterfeit case involving movie money

Published 8:54 am Thursday, April 14, 2016

Police are investigating a case of counterfeit currency after a $100 bill intended for use in film production turned up in the tills at the Carter County Court Clerk’s Office on Monday.

On Tuesday, Elizabethton Police Department Officer Justin Pearce responded to Carter County Court Clerk Mary Gouge’s office after the office called 911 to report a counterfeit bill.

“Gouge advised on this date a deposit was made for the County Clerk’s office and a $100 bill was refused by the bank for being counterfeit,” Pearce said.

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The money would have been collected on Monday, Gouge said, but she was not able to determine which clerk received the money or when it was received.

“I observed the $100 bill and it is marked “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” on the front and back,” Pearce said.

Pearce took possession of the counterfeit bill and placed it into evidence.

EPD Capt. Joy Shoun of the Criminal Investigations Division said the department has investigated similar cases before.

“This is not he first time we’ve seen these types of bills, but it has been a while since we’ve seen them,” she said.

Shoun advises all businesses and anyone who handles cash to be mindful of the bills they collect.

“There are similarities to real bills but there are some noticeable differences when you compare them to a real bill,” she said.

The phrase “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” is printed on the front and possibly also the back of the bill, she said. Also, she added, there are often differences between the picture shown on an authentic bill and the picture on the counterfeits.

These types of bills are intended for use in movies, television shows and other filmed productions, Shoun said.