Southwest Airlines employee fraudulently sold 'Luv Vouchers' worth $1.87M, feds say
CHICAGO – A customer service representative for Southwest Airlines has been charged with fraudulently creating and selling travel vouchers worth more than $1.87 million.
An indictment in federal court Tuesday alleges Dajuan Martin, 36, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, was working for Southwest at Midway Airport in Chicago when he used fictitious customer names to fraudulently generate the vouchers without the airline’s knowledge or approval.
He then sold the vouchers at below market value to Chicago resident Ned Brooks, 46, and others in exchange for cash, the indictment states. The "Southwest Luv Vouchers" were intended to compensate customers for unfavorable experiences.
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Martin faces 12 counts of wire fraud, and Brooks faces four. Each count of wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
The two are expected to be arraigned in federal court in Chicago. USA TODAY could not immediately reach Brooks.
In a statement, defense attorney Jonathan Bedi said Martin "is a wonderful family man, who has young children and he is loved by all who know him."
"He is looking forward to his day in court," Bedi said.
Five questions answered. How could Chicago sell Lake Michigan water to Joliet, 35 miles away?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Southwest Airlines employee sold 'Luv Vouchers' worth $1.87M: Feds
