Taco Bell employee pleads guilty to stealing credit card info, making 10 transactions

Hope+Brugh+pleaded+guilty+to+11+felonies+Monday+morning+alongside+her+defense+attorney+David+Mortimer+in+the+Muskingum+County+Court+of+Common+Pleas.

Jessica Johnston

Hope Brugh pleaded guilty to 11 felonies Monday morning alongside her defense attorney David Mortimer in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas.

By Jessica Johnston, Assistant News Director

A woman that worked for Taco Bell is accused of photographing a woman’s credit card at the fast food restaurant before using the information to make 10 transactions.

Hope Brugh, 33, pleaded guilty Monday morning to 10 counts of identity fraud and one count of theft of a credit card, all fifth-degree felonies.

On Jan. 8, a woman that had purchased food at Taco Bell a couple of days earlier, contacted the Zanesville Police Department to report her credit card being used multiple times, Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Bennington said in court.

Bennington went on to state that the woman had noticed that it took longer than usual for the employee to swipe her credit card at the restaurant. Upon police investigating the crime, surveillance video from inside the Taco Bell showed Brugh photographing the woman’s card.

The next day, Brugh made a variety of purchases including buying items from Walmart and putting money on a person’s books that is currently incarcerated.

Brugh’s defense attorney, David Mortimer, stated that Brugh stole and used the information due to her drug habit.

Mortimer also requested a recognizance bond for Brugh, which Judge Mark Fleegle stated he would evaluate.

Brugh’s sentencing date has not been set as of the time of publication.