Michele Fletcher:
Charging It to the Game

by Elaine Watkins
October 2007

In this atmosphere it’s hard to believe that only nine months ago, Ms. Fletcher, the well-groomed, petite, mother of three was locked up in a similar situation as her main character, Erica Payne.

Caught up in the world of materialism, ever increasing debt, and a plastic façade to cover it all, the old Michele lived a life that any desperate housewife would envy. A luxurious 7-bedroom home, 3 top of the line salons, a doting husband and 3 daughters to top it off; this may sound like the Huxtible dream, but in this case looks were definitely deceiving. Behind the cars, couture, and cash were credit card scams. Fletcher and her husband Francis, paid for their luxury with the ripped off identities of over 40,000 people.

It was the stolen identities that afforded Michele and her husband a life filled with Louis Vuitton, foreign cars, plasma televisions and too much jewelry to wear at once. It was also these illegitimate personas that led to their demise. The Fletchers had it all, but more was always necessary. Growing up with a father who taught her how to shop for free (he too was convicted of check fraud); Michele was no stranger to the nicer things in life.

Like her life, her arrest was one made for TV, with federal agents swarming and invading her home for an inevitable arrest. Tipped off during a purchase of a few DVD players at a Target store in April of 2003, authorities began a full scale federal investigation, which ultimately led to the Fletchers’ capture.

Once in her cell alone, sans her high end clothes, diamonds, and the life she had charged up until that point, Michele began to realize what the real treasures in life were. And it was in federal prison where she was serving a 4 year jail term that she began to pen Charge it to the Game, which is based on her own experiences. Although only a couple of months removed from prison, Michele is a quantum leap away from her past and plans to stay that way with her debut novel making it’s presence felt in an ever-growing urban lit market.

For more information on Michele Fletcher, visit: www.therealmichelefletcher.com

Elaine Watkins is the Editor-in-Chief of The Urban Book Source.

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Angie :

Posted 834 days ago

Narzell, the video was not here when i resposded the first time. And to answer your question yes she should have had a darn job in the first place! Yes she can make her life better God Bless her, i was just asking the question so since you seem to think so apparently i was confused at the point of every one praising her, ha? But again from it happening to me, I am biased to the whole situation so take it all the way Narzell it's not this deep. Unless you had something to do with it and feel some kind of way.

Narzell Wise :

Posted 837 days ago

Angie,
Did you look and listen to the video??? Did she not say that this is the new me? She has left that life behind and is making a new way for herself. Can we all make our lives better with what we have? What should Michele Fletcher do after coming home from prison? Get a job? But don't even waste your time answering that.

Angie :

Posted 859 days ago

I am a bit confused here, the women was stealing people's identity and living the good life she goes to jail writes a book and she's being applauded. Now PLEASE DONT GET ME WRONG, i am not not being negative i am just confused. I could be a bit biased because i had that done to me before so maybe i am not being fair, but every one is congratulating her.

Last Real One :

Posted 866 days ago

Good looking black sister. Do your thang sis!!!!

Lutishia Lovely :

Posted 1018 days ago

Congratulations Michele! Let's hope your own life experience turn into the biggest paycheck of them all! Much success to you!
Bestselling Author, Lutishia Lovely
Sex In The Sanctuary
Love Like Hallelujah

Monique :

Posted 1018 days ago

Thats right mama do your thing.You deserve it. you made a bad situation into something good. I love it.

Tammy :

Posted 1020 days ago

T. Styles I agree with you. More real talk and positive images for the industry.

Author T.Styles :

Posted 1020 days ago

That's what I'm talkin' about!! Real talk from Real folks!! There's a new day in literature and it's time for those who can't understand it, to look out or get run over!!

The Ultimate Hustler :

Posted 1020 days ago

Good Shit Michele.... Keep grindin' and Good Luck
Ya Boi!
-Dashawn Taylor
Author (Kissed By The Devil)
www.kissedbythedevil.com

I Get Money :

Posted 1021 days ago

This is what I'm saying! Beautiful black women, very good writer getting money and tending to her business. Keeping it real and true to life. GET MONEY MICHELE FLETCHER.

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