‘To Catch a Predator’ star resolves bounced check case
STAMFORD — An attorney for the former star of “To Catch a Predator” said his client’s bad checks were an “oversight” as he successfully argued Wednesday to resolve the charges.
The prosecution issued a nolle in the case involving longtime Shippan resident Chris Hansen, who was charged last week with issuing a bad check for nearly $13,000. Under a nolle, the charge will be dismissed if the state takes no further action in the case within 13 months.
“It has been resolved and I’m happy to get back to work,” Hansen said after the brief hearing at the Stamford courthouse.
Hansen, 59, was accused of bilking Promotional Sales Limited by twice writing bad checks for $12,998 worth of marketing merchandise he received two years ago. The items included 355 ceramic mugs, 288 T-shirts and 650 vinyl decals.
Stamford State’s Attorney Daniel Cummings said the defense presented documents proving Hansen has paid his entire bill since his arrest.
When asked why it took Hansen so long to pay the bill, defense attorney Philip Russell called it an “oversight.”
“Mr. Hansen has a busy schedule and this was an oversight and it was unfortunate,” Russell said.
Police say Hansen wrote two checks to the owner of the Summer Street business that bounced and his arrest warrant was signed when it was clear he was not making good on them.
Hansen is also accused of walking out on mounting debts in a string of local civil lawsuits brought by financial institutions.
In 2015, American Express sued Hansen for $57,900, claiming he “refused to make payment on the balance due and owing” on a Platinum card, according to a civil complaint. Hansen didn’t appear in court, and court records show no attorney listed for the media personality in this case.
Last spring, Ally Financial filed a lawsuit, claiming Hansen stopped making payments on his 2014 Corvette, records show. In Ally’s complaint, filed in June 2018, the company said he still owed thousands on the $65,000 sports car when he stopped paying in November 2017.
State Judge Edward R Karazin Jr. in June granted Ally a “replevin order,” allowing the company to repossess the Corvette.
Hansen’s million-dollar Shippan home, which he owned from 1994 until last year, is now owned by US Bank Trust, which seized it last July.