Toledo man returns to prison for ID fraud

10/30/2017
BY JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Charles Lister in 2013.
Charles Lister in 2013.

A Toledo man who spent 16 years in prison for trying to kill his former wife was sentenced Monday to 10 months in prison for using his former cellmate's personal identification information to obtain more than $8,500 in public benefits.

Charles W. Lister, 57, of the 1700 block of Mason Street also was ordered by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gary Cook to pay $7,330 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and $1,490 to Lucas County Job and Family Services.

Lister pleaded no contest Oct. 18 and was found guilty of theft, forgery, and telecommunications fraud for using the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of Burt Bombe, 57, to obtain public assistance after he was released from prison in 2013.

His attorney, Kent Sobran, asked the court to place Lister on community control, saying Lister had cooperated with investigators, had expressed remorse, had serious health issues, and was active in his church.

Lister admitted what he did.

“I did cooperate with the investigators two year ago, and for the last two years I've been living a nightmare waiting for the other shoe to drop,” he told the court. “Even though there were circumstances that forced me to do what I did, I still have to be honest and admit the fact that I did the crimes.”

Judge Cook cited Lister's previous conviction for a violent offense in sending him to prison.

“You obviously have been through the system before and spent a great deal of time previously incarcerated, so an individual dealing with that kind of a history would also know what happens going forward should you violate the law,” Judge Cook said. “That's what makes it even more egregious knowing you were in that situation with prior understanding.”

Lister said he already had repaid $2,000 to the Social Security Administration and could repay the balance with his only source of income, which is SSI or Supplemental Security Income.

Lister served 16 years in prison for placing an explosive device in the car of Linda Lister in 1997. She survived but suffered burns and other serious injuries.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.