IRS and agencies charge 14 with ID theft tax refund fraud in Florida

2. United States v. Shalamar Major and Tanisha Wright

Defendant Shalamar Major was indicted on one count of conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 286, and one count of unlawful disclosure of HIPAA-protected medical information, in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1320d-6(a)(3) and (b)(3). Co-defendant Tanisha Wright was indicted on one count of access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029; one count of theft of mail, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1708; one count of conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 286; three counts of identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028; three counts of theft of public money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641; and three counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A.

According to the indictment, defendant Major was a scheduler at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida. As a scheduler, Major had access to the personal identification information of Boca Raton Regional Hospital patients, including their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. In exchange for the promise of future payments, Major provided Wright with stolen personal identifying information of numerous Boca Raton Regional Hospital patients. After receiving the stolen identification information, Wright used the information to electronically file federal income tax returns in the victims names and to claim tax refunds to which she was not entitled. Wright directed the IRS to direct deposit the refunds onto pre-paid reloadable debit cards that were already in her possession. Thereafter, Wright would use the debit cards to make withdrawals at local ATMs or would use the debit cards to make purchases at various local businesses. Once Wright cashed out the fraudulently obtained refund debit cards, she split the proceeds with Major. In total, 57 returns were identified as having been fraudulently filed, seeking $306,720 in federal tax refunds.

3. United States v. Christopher and Jeffrey Rosier

Defendant Christopher Rosier was indicted on four counts of identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028; one count of access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029; one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A; and one count of conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 286. Codefendant Jeffrey Rosier was indicted on one count of conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 286.

According to the indictment, defendant Christopher Rosier obtained personal identification information of numerous individuals, including their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, and used this information to electronically file federal income tax returns in the victims names, seeking tax refunds to which he was not entitled. Defendant Christopher Rosier directed the IRS to direct-deposit the tax refunds onto pre-paid reloadable debit cards that were either already in his possession or were mailed to various local addresses that he controlled. Once the debit cards were received, defendant Jeffrey Rosier would cash the debit cards by making withdrawals at local ATMs and would split the proceeds with defendant Christopher Rosier. In total, defendants Rosier attempted $53,976 in fraudulent tax refunds, yet was only successfully in obtaining $36,732 in unlawful tax dollars. Additionally, law enforcement seized $8,660 in U.S. currency, as well as a laptop computer and a 2007 Infiniti G35 from the defendants.

4. United States v. Jahed Movlayazdanpahi

Defendant Jahed Movlayazdanpahi, 29, of Miramar, was charged in a three-count indictment for his participation in an identity theft tax refund scheme. According to the indictment, the defendant received stolen tax refunds to which he was not entitled. The indictment charges the defendant with theft of public money and property. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Byrne.

5. United States v. Fednol Pierre and Jeanson Pata