An O'ahu grand jury has indicted a man who allegedly tried to bilk a pet-sitting business out of $6,500 by inventing a law firm, a lawyer and an O'ahu circuit court judge, and forging demand letters and other legal correspondence.

Eric Youn, an assistant professor of social work at the University of Hawai'i, was indicted Tuesday on five felony counts, including second-degree theft and second-degree attempted theft, first-degree extortion and second-degree identity theft.

Youn admitted in September to fabricating correspondence in an attempt to get money from Babs Poei, owner of Pets Are Inn. Youn then told The Advertiser in an interview that he "made a mistake" and fabricated the judge, lawyer and law firm.

Youn earlier this year agreed to pay Poei and her attorneys $22,930 to settle a civil lawsuit brought against him. Poei was not barred from making a criminal complaint against Youn, and did so in September.

"I cannot comment on the indictment until I have had a chance to see it, but I assure you there is another side to this story and there is a lot of relevant information here not being presented," Youn said this week in an e-mail to The Advertiser.

Senior deputy city prosecutor Christopher T. Van Marter, who is handling the case, declined comment Tuesday.

Poei said, "I am pleased to hear of the indictment and hope that justice will be done. I think we should expect more from an educator and employee of the University of Hawai'i."

The case stems from a dispute that occurred after Youn left his dog Gabriel in the care of Pets Are Inn from June 2 to July 3, paying the company $1,039.90, court records show.

After picking up his dog, Youn claimed his dog had "hot spots" and demanded his money back. Poei received correspondence purporting to be from a law firm and a lawyer demanding a refund, and a notice of a fictitious court date before a certain judge.

Youn sent Poei correspondence purporting to be from the law firm "Harper Test and Wu" and from lawyer "Jason Kim." Youn also sent Poei a notice for an Aug. 14 court date before a judge, the "Hon. Ronald Shigawa."

According to the Hawai'i State Bar Association, the state Judiciary and the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, there is no law firm named Harper Test and Wu and there is no judge named Ronald Shigawa.

The only licensed attorney in Hawai'i named Jason Kim works for Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing and has never heard of Eric Youn, court documents said.

Poei refunded Youn $500, but received more correspondence from the "lawyer" demanding the remaining $539.90 as part of damages totaling $6,500 and threatening further legal action.