United States Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña
Northern District of Texas

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

FORMER RADIO SHACK CUSTOMER SERVICE
REPRESENTATIVE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT

Customer Service Representative Admits Stealing Customers’
Identifying Information to File False Income Tax Returns to Claim Refunds

FORT WORTH, Texas — Youlanda Rochelle Wright pleaded guilty in federal court this morning, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton, to an Information charging one count of false claims against the U.S. and one count of identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. Wright faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. She could also be ordered to pay restitution. Sentencing is set for April 23, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means.

According to the factual resume filed in the case, Wright worked for Radio Shack Corporation as a Customer Service Representative in its call center. In that role, she often received customers’ personal identifying information, including social security numbers. Wright admits using that information to file U.S. income tax returns in their names to claim refunds. Radio Shack terminated her employment in February 2007 for unauthorized use of customer information.

Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation is in charge of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Gulde is prosecuting.

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