Woman Faces Prison for Fake Facebook Page
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A 41-year-old New Jersey woman, Dana Thornton, faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted of "identity theft" because she created a fake Facebook profile about her ex-boyfriend.
Authorities allege that the Belleville resident created a Facebook page, as if it was written by her former boyfriend, police detective Michael Lasalandra, after they broke up.
The Daily Record reports that Thornton's lawyer, Richard Roberts, says his client may have violated Facebook rules, but adds there's no law in New Jersey against creating a profile of anyone online.
Morris County prosecutors say even though the ID theft law doesn't mention the Internet, Thornton's fake Facebook page harmed her ex-boyfriend's reputation, which to some legal observers might meet the requirements of a libel lawsuit, but not a criminal act.
A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.
Authorities allege that the Belleville resident created a Facebook page, as if it was written by her former boyfriend, police detective Michael Lasalandra, after they broke up.
The Daily Record reports that Thornton's lawyer, Richard Roberts, says his client may have violated Facebook rules, but adds there's no law in New Jersey against creating a profile of anyone online.
Morris County prosecutors say even though the ID theft law doesn't mention the Internet, Thornton's fake Facebook page harmed her ex-boyfriend's reputation, which to some legal observers might meet the requirements of a libel lawsuit, but not a criminal act.
A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.
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