Man allegedly sought to pay court fees — with counterfeit bills

By Todd Feathers, Globe Correspondent

While he was already facing charges of operating a motor vehicle without a license, a Watertown man got himself into even deeper trouble when he allegedly tried to pay his court fees with counterfeit bills, police said.

Fernando Costa, 24, allegedly gave a Brighton District Court clerk two $100 bills, two $20 bills, and a $10 bill, all of which proved to be fake when the clerk subjected them to iodine starch and ultraviolet light tests, a police statement said.

When the clerk called police, Costa attempted to flee the courthouse, but he was quickly caught, the statement said.

He will be charged with possessing and passing counterfeit notes or bank bills.