Leonardo Ayala, Bank Facilitation of Money Laundering, Florida 2023

State: Florida
Category: Fraud &#038; Financial Crimes
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/td-bank-insider-arrested-and-charged-facilitating-money-laundering" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A former TD Bank N.A. employee has been arrested and charged with facilitating money laundering in Florida.

Leonardo Ayala, 24, worked at a TD Bank store in Doral, Florida, between February and November 2023. Starting in June 2023, Ayala allegedly exploited his position as a bank employee to facilitate money laundering to Colombia.

According to court documents, Ayala assisted a money laundering network by issuing dozens of debit cards for accounts in exchange for bribes. Those accounts were then allegedly used to launder millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds through cash withdrawals at ATMs in Colombia.

Ayala made his initial appearance yesterday in Miami federal court, and all future court proceedings will be in New Jersey. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

If convicted, Ayala faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation into Ayala’s activities was conducted by the IRS-CI Newark Field Office, DEA San Juan Field Office, and FDIC-OIG New York Field Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, IRS-CI Miami Field Office, FDIC-OIG South Florida Field Office, DEA Miami Field Office, and Morristown Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of the IRS-CI Newark Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster of the DEA Caribbean Division, and Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca of the FDIC-OIG New York Region made the announcement.

Leonardo Ayala is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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