A Bronx, NY, man, Paul Keenan, 54, has been sentenced to 24 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a bank fraud conspiracy that attempted to defraud banks in at least ten states of approximately $143,000.
Keenan, who pleaded guilty in February to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christine Lowell with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Hebert.
According to court documents, Keenan, working alongside other members of the conspiracy, recruited and organized individuals and obtained their photographs and personal identifying information (PII). Keenan and his co-conspirators used the information to create fraudulent IDs that contained their own photographs and the PII of some of the recruits.
Keenan and others then obtained the PII of at least 28 victim individuals, including their names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and bank account information. They also obtained information of at least 20 business entities, including business names and banking information. The information collected was used to create fraudulent IDs and checks.
Members of the conspiracy then traveled with recruits to banks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and at least eight other states to cash bogus checks. Through the scheme, Keenan and others attempted to defraud banks of a total of approximately $143,000, successfully defrauding twenty-two banks of a total of approximately $93,200.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the East Providence Police Department, with the assistance of the Portsmouth Police Department. Keenan’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in white-collar crime, and the efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
Keenan’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing serve as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the financial system for personal gain. As the investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate, the Justice Department will vigorously pursue those who engage in bank fraud and other forms of financial crime.
Assistant United States Attorney Christine Lowell praised the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Keenan to justice, stating, “This sentence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the investigators and prosecutors who worked on this case.”
The sentencing of Paul Keenan marks a significant victory for the people of Rhode Island and the United States, and serves as a reminder that those who engage in financial crime will be held accountable.
In closing, the U.S. Department of Justice remains committed to protecting the financial system and bringing those who seek to exploit it to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Bronx Man Gets 24 Months for Bank Fraud Heist · Massachusetts
- Bank Fraud Kingpin Phalentz Vernot and Five Accomplices Busted · Massachusetts
- NY Man Gets 24 Months for Multi-State Bank Fraud Scheme · New Hampshire
- Larios Sentenced in Bank Fraud Plot Against 28 Individuals and 20 Biz · New Hampshire
- Bank Fraud Ring · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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