EXCLUSIVE: VIVACE OWNER CLAIMS INNOCENCE, WILL FIGHT CHARGES

September 26, 2017

By Hilde Kate Lysiak

A local business owner charged with stealing over $40,000 by allegedly opening up lines of credit using the information of an employee says he is innocent and will fight the charges, the Orange Street News has exclusively learned.

“There is definitely two sides to the story,” Tess Fisher, who owns Vivace Music along with her husband, Nathan Fisher, exclusively told the Orange Street News.

Nathan Fisher was charged on September 8th after police claim an employee, Lewis Land, alleged that Fisher opened three lines of credit totalling nearly $40,000 in charges. Land was asked to hand over his personal information to Fisher so that he could be on the company credit card, but had no idea cards would be opened in his name, according to police.

In an exclusive interview with the OSN, Tess Fisher claimed that Land was given the right information and had given permission to Fisher.

“He did give permission,” said Fisher. She also added that not only was the amount wrong and that it is really closer to $30,000, but that they fully intend on paying the money back, adding “the only reason that credit cards aren’t paid off already is because the credit card companies won’t let us.”

But police tell a different story, even claiming they have text messages to support the charges.

The criminal complaint read: (FULL COMPLAINT PICTURED BELOW)

“Land’s employer Nathan Tyler Fisher, who owns the music store, issued multiple credit cards for the business to pay for work related expenses. On 1/18/2017, Land received a letter from Chase Bank notifying Land that a credit card was issued in his name.”

“Land reported he did not authorize these credit cards.”

“Land provided text messages exchanged between Fisher and Land that read as follows: FISHER-I would have to put your social down to add you as a user on a business credit card I just want to double check with you before I would do that. With it being a business account it doesn’t get reflected on your personal credit, it’s just to verify your identity and what not. LAND — Sure, that’s fine.”

Land was not immediately available for comment.

Fisher is charged with Identity Theft, Fraud, and other charges.

Despite the evidence, Fisher told the OSN that not only will her husband will be shown to be innocent, but the store will remain open for business.

“It might take some time and go to trial. I believe that the truth will out,” Tess told the OSN. “We have no plans to close,”