Former Rhode Island Bank Employee Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Funds From Federal Tax Checks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Elvy Gomez, 39, of Providence, a former employee of Bank of America, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to embezzling more than $95,000 from stolen federal tax checks. Gomez admitted to the court that he used his position at the bank to access a dormant checking account which he used to deposit stolen treasury checks and then withdraw the funds. Gomez pleaded guilty to one count each of theft of government property, forging an endorsement on treasury checks and money launderings.

Gomez’s guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

According to information presented to the court, an investigation by IRS-CI determined that in January 2011, Gomez use his position as an employee of the bank to access a dormant checking account of an individual who moved to the Dominican Republic in 2009. He also obtained an ATM card in that person’s name. Gomez admitted that between April 2012 and August 2012, he deposited fourteen stolen treasury checks totaling $95,559 into the bank account and then withdrew the funds for his own personal use.

At sentencing, Gomez faces up to 10 years in federal prison; 3 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 on each charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on September 6, 2013.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

Agents from the U.S. Secret Service assisted in the investigation of this matter.

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