New York Man Charged With Identity Theft And Tax Scheme

PHILADELPHIA - Brandon Morrison, 25, of New York City, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with five counts of wire fraud, five counts of making a false claim against the United States, and four counts of identity theft, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment alleges that from January 2011 to May 2011, Morrison sold the stolen identities of a number of people for use in fraudulently prepared tax returns which directed that the tax refund checks be deposited to bank accounts opened and controlled by a co-conspirator.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 145 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $3,500,000 fine, and a special assessment of $1,400.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurie Magid.

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Click here to read the indictment.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525