Fulmer testifies in identity theft trial

Maurice Edward Hughley was indicted in 2003 after investigators found a stash of credit cards and bank cards hidden above a ceiling tile in a bathroom at a laundry. He went on trial in federal court this week.

U.S. Postal Inspector Sam Romano Jr. testified Wednesday he found Fulmer’s driver’s license, insurance card, AAA membership card, American Express credit card and BellSouth phone card in the stash.

Fulmer testified briefly Thursday to identify the cards.

He told jurors that the last time he saw his wallet in the fall of 2001, it was stuffed in an inside pocket of his sport coat, which was draped over a chair in his office at UT. He didn’t realize it was missing until he went to church the next day and reached inside the jacket to get money for the collection plate.

Fulmer said he figured he had misplaced it and didn’t learn it had been stolen until authorities contacted him. His cards were never used.

A man who worked for Hughley stole wallets and purses from buildings at UT in October 2001, assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Schmutzer told jurors.

Hughley is accused of using the personal information from the stolen goods to make and cash counterfeit checks totaling more than $50,000, according to court documents.