GREENSBURG, Pa. Nov 13, 2004 A case of funny money has ended happily for a woman who had been charged with passing a bogus $200 bill with President Bush's picture on it.
Prosecutors in Pennsylania's Westmoreland County dropped all charges Friday against Deborah L. Trautwine, 51, after she paid the store in real currency.
Trautwine "wasn't aware that it
wasn't actual legal tender," said her attorney, Harry Smail Jr.
Trautwine could not be reached for comment. A clerk at a Fashion Bug clothing store also thought the bill was real and gave Trautwine $100.58 in change from her August purchase.
There is no $200 denomination bill, even without Bush's picture on it. None of the recent U.S. presidents has been depicted on American currency.
Police said the bill's phoniness should have been obvious for other reasons. It had a silly serial number DUBYA4U2001 and didn't bear the signature of the treasury secretary. Instead, it was "signed" by Ronald Reagan, whose title was "Political Mentor" and by Bush's father, who is listed as "Campaign Advisor and Mentor."
The back of the phony bill depicted the White House with several signs erected on the lawn, including those reading "We Like Broccoli" and "USA Deserves A Tax Cut."
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