Revere Bank Manager Sentenced To Federal Prison For Stolen Identity Fraud Scheme

BOSTON – A Revere man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Boston for his role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme.

Carlos Mauricio Gonzalez, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 30 months in prison, and ordered to pay $326,802 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. On Nov. 13, 2013, Fernandez pleaded guilty to a one count of conspiracy to convert public money.

Gonzalez, who worked as a supervisor at a Citizens Bank branch in Stoneham, agreed to open business and personal bank accounts that were to receive proceeds from stolen identity refund fraud (SIRF) by which conspirators obtain refunds by filing fraudulent income tax returns using the identities of other people. Gonzalez opened bank accounts himself, and also directed other bank employees to open accounts although he did not inform these employees about the scheme. Gonzalez withdrew and directed other employees to withdraw the SIRF proceeds in cash amounts below $10,000. Between December 2011 and April 2012, Gonzalez facilitated the opening of 32 bank accounts, which received 75 deposits totaling $402,897. For his actions, Gonzalez received $14,000.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Sean R. Delaney of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.