Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
In Massachusetts, Jeffrey Gautreaux, a former Bank of America teller, has been charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft, 17 counts of bank fraud, and one count of access device fraud. The charges are related to a fraud scam that allegedly occurred between July 2005 and June 2006.
The 25-year-old, who worked at a Bank of America branch in Peabody, is accused of getting bank customers’ personal information and account data and selling the stolen information to people that then made unauthorized withdrawals-ranging from $2,800 to $31,800-from the accounts. At least $270,000 was taken out of these accounts without the bank customers’ authorization.
If convicted, Gautreaux could be ordered to pay a $1 million fine for each bank fraud count and serve up to 30 years in prison, in addition to supervised release for five years. A conviction for access device fraud could lead to a 10-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and probationary release. A conviction for the aggravated identity theft charges could lead to additional sentencing.
Bank of America clients that were defrauded included those from Greater Boston, Magnolia, North Shore, and the Merrimack Valley.
Access Device Fraud: This term can refer to fraud crimes involving the use of access device numbers, such as ATM pin numbers, debit card codes, long-distances access codes, and computer passwords.
Bank Fraud: Can refer to fraud crimes that involve obtaining assets, funds, securities or money that is held or owned by a financial institution.
Aggravated Identity Theft: Involves using a stolen identity to commit a crime.
Our Boston criminal defense lawyers are amazed at how many times people are charged with white collar crimes that are a result of a simple misunderstanding or the wrong person being targeted as a “fall guy.”
Man, 25, indicted for ID theft, bank fraud, GloucesterTimes.com, June 5, 2009
Peabody bank teller accused of stealing customer IDs, Boston Herald, June 5, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Financial Crimes Division, United States Secret Service
White Collar Crimes Overview, Justia
You are entitled to the best defense. Contact our Boston white collar crimes law firm to discuss your case.
