Naples Man Sentenced To Four Years For Filing False Income Tax Returns

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Frederick R. Green to 4 years in federal prison for false claims against the government, possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices, and theft of government money.  The court also ordered Green to forfeit $10,322.00 in United States currency, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense.  In addition, Green was ordered to pay $311,746.00 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Green pleaded guilty on March 5, 2013.

According to court documents, on or about January 20, 2012, Green knowingly filed a false federal income tax return using the name E.P., in which he made a fraudulent claim for an income tax refund in the amount of $9,913, to the Internal Revenue Service.

The Internal Revenue Service confirmed that on January 20, 2012, E.P.’s return was prepared, received and processed by the IRS and a refund in the amount of $9,913 was applied to a Bancorp debit card.

The Internal Revenue Service conducted additional research and determined that more than 70 returns were filed from the same IP address utilized by Green on January 20, 2012.

A search warrant was executed on July 12, 2012, on Green’s residence in Collier County.  During the execution of the warrant, Green was found to be in possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices.  Specifically, he was in possession of 25 debit cards in other peoples’ names that were found in his jacket pocket.  Further, there were numerous other debit cards on the table next to his computer.  One of the cards found during the execution of the search warrant was in E.P.’s name.  Agents also located sheets of personal identifying information and more than $10,000 in cash.

From at least January 20, 2012 through July 12, 2012, Green knowingly and willfully stole and converted to his own use money that belonged to the United States.  The amount of the returns filed from the IP address while it was assigned to Green’s residence is $648,967.  From the fraudulent claims for income tax refunds, Green received payment for $311,746.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office as part of the United States Secret Service Southwest Florida Financial Crimes Strike Force, and the Internal Revenue Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.