Annie M. Ford, Stolen Identity Scheme, New Jersey 2020
NEWARK, N.J. - Annie M. Ford, 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, has admitted to using a stolen identity to attempt to obtain a $2.5 million loan, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Ford used the stolen identity of a National Basketball Association (NBA) player, who at the time was a resident of New Jersey, to fraudulently obtain a $2.5 million loan from a New York-based lending company.
From October 2013 through November 2013, Ford created fraudulent documents using the victim's name and forged or caused to be forged the victim's signature on multiple documents, including a Merchant Agreement and an escrow document providing that the $2.5 million loan would be deposited into a bank account controlled by Ford.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a maximum potential penalty of two years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term.
Ford pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an indictment charging her with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine R. Murphy of the Economic Crimes Unit. Defense counsel is Bruno C. Bier, Esq., of New York.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →