Pineville attorney sues bank manager claiming he lost money due to $500K forged check

ALEXANDRIA – A Pineville attorney is suing a bank manager for allegedly telling him a check worth $489,650 had been deposited in his account, triggering him to wire a substantial amount of funds to Japan before the check was found to be a forgery.

Joseph Kutch filed suit against Kimberly Hoffpauir in the 9th Judicial District Court.

Kutch claims that on Nov. 5, 2013 he deposited a cashier’s check in the amount of $489,650 into his account at Regions Bank located at 3580 Highway 28 East in Pineville. The plaintiff alleges that Hoffpauir, serving as the bank manager, advised him the check would clear the next day. Kutch contends that he returned to Regions Bank the following day with the intention of sending the money via a wire transfer to a client in Japan as a settlement from her former husband.

The plaintiff asserts that prior to sending the wire transfer to Japan he verified with Hoffpauir, who reached out to other bank employees, that the check was genuine and had cleared the deposit. Kutch claims that he immediately transferred “very substantial” amount of money to Japan with Hoffpauir’s assistance, but after the check was found to be a forgery his account was frozen costing him $7,000 and potentially making him responsible for the refunds of the transferred money.

The defendant is accused of intentional and negligent misrepresentation and failing to protect the interests of their customer.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for any recoverable amounts.

Kutch is representing himself pro se.

The case has been assigned to Division G Judge Harry F. Randow.

Case no. 251,449.