Roland Alexis, Stolen Identity Tax Refund Scheme, Florida 2009

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Florida Duo Sentenced for Stolen Identity Tax Refund Scheme

MIAMI, FL – Two Miami residents have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme. Roland Alexis, 34, was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. His co-conspirator, Jim Joseph, 31, was previously sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on Jan. 20.

According to the indictment, Joseph and Alexis conspired to file more than 860 false income tax returns claiming more than $1 million in refunds from the IRS. Their conduct resulted in a tax loss of $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

The scheme involved obtaining stolen personal identification information from prisoners and deceased individuals. Joseph, Alexis, and others recruited knowing co-conspirators and unknowing victims to obtain Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) in their names through which fraudulent income tax returns would be filed.

In late 2009, Alexis and Joseph formed Worldwide Income Tax Multi-Services LLC and North Miami Income Tax Services. The companies were created with the intended purpose of filing fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities. Worldwide Income Tax Multi-Services was located in Miramar, Florida, and listed Alexis as President and Joseph as Vice-President. North Miami Income Tax Services was set up in Miami and listed Alexis as Registered Agent.

Judge William Zloch ordered Joseph to pay $1,225,686.12 in restitution to the IRS and forfeit two single-family-owned properties in Miami. Alexis was also ordered to pay $1,805,332.71 in restitution and $369,776.18 in proceeds held in a bank account.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Karadbil and Assistant Chief Gregory E. Tortella, who prosecuted the case.

The case is a reminder that identity theft and filing false tax returns are serious crimes that inflict tremendous damage on innocent victims. The perpetrators will face the maximum sentence available to punish them and deter others from engaging in such behavior.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

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