Johnathan Bergren, Check Kiting Scheme, Florida 2013

Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to Check Kiting Scheme

Tampa, FL – In a shocking turn of events, Johnathan Bergren, a 40-year-old resident of Tampa, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with a check kiting scheme.

According to the plea agreement, Bergren and his co-conspirators, including Christian Morales, opened up numerous business checking accounts at federally insured financial institutions. They then deposited checks drawn on accounts opened at other institutions into the newly established accounts, withdrew funds prior to the checks clearing the banks, and ultimately returned the deposited checks as Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF), Closed Account, or Refer to Maker.

Despite the checks eventually bouncing, Bergren and Morales had already transferred or withdrawn the funds immediately made available to accounts under their control. During the course of the scheme, Bergren and Morales opened more than 30 business checking accounts, with deposits and withdrawals done at various federally insured financial institutions in the Middle District of Florida.

It’s estimated that Bergren and Morales deposited checks into accounts at financial institutions totaling approximately $493,017.65, with $288,682.45 withdrawn. Morales previously pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme, and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2014.

However, it appears that Bergren’s scheme didn’t end there. Following his arrest for the instant scheme on August 23, 2013, Bergren continued engaging in this check kiting scheme through and including the date of his re-arrest on a second complaint for the same type of activity on December 19, 2013. During this second phase of the scheme, Bergren recruited others to open shell companies and corresponding business accounts at Bank of America, depositing $32,167.19 worth of NSF or closed account checks. Bergren directed that third parties withdraw funds from these accounts before the NSF or closed account checks deposited into them cleared, and provide him with the cash. This resulted in an additional actual loss to Bank of America of $20,899.30.

To date, Bergren is responsible for an intended loss of approximately $525,184.84 and an actual loss of approximately $309,581.75. This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mandy Riedel.

Bergren faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

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