Webster Accountant Sentenced For Bank Fraud And Identity Theft

CONTACT:Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Joseph Karl Muller, 54, of Webster, NY, who was convicted of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to 54 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $127,287 by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the matter, 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 Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Adelizzio.