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New Bedford Police are warning business owners to carefully check money used in transactions after a New Bedford man was charged again Wednesday for passing false $50 bills, this time at the Whiskey Lounge, 1669 Acushnet Ave.
James Richard Rossi, 22, of New Bedford, will be charged for uttering counterfeit notes at the Whiskey Lounge.
He was arrested Tuesday for passing counterfeit bills at Tilia’s Café, 1623 Acushnet Ave.
Workers at the Whiskey Lounge reported that Rossi passed three counterfeit $50 bills Monday and another counterfeit $50 bill Tuesday.
The bills were discovered to be counterfeit when the business owner attempted to deposit two of the bills at a bank.
Police responded Tuesday evening to Tilia’s Café after a bartender reported that a customer had paid for drinks early that morning with two $50 bills. That afternoon, he used a third $50 bill to buy a single beer, then took the change and left. At that time, the bartender took a close look at the bills and determined they were counterfeit.
Police apprehended Rossi Tuesday in connection with that incident. Rossi was found in possession of a large folding knife.
The bills were cut unevenly and no watermark was present.
