Press Release
Webster Accountant Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Identity Theft
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Joseph Karl Muller, 54, of Webster, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the case, stated that Muller was an accountant in Webster who provided services to clients, including preparing tax returns. From April 2012 to August 2013, the defendant used personal identifying information that he stole from a client to prepare 46 fraudulent checks drawn on the client’s bank accounts. Muller then deposited the fraudulent checks into an account that he controlled, reaping a total of $127,287.
This plea is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Secret Service under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tracy Gast.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Larimer.
Updated November 24, 2014
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