Oliver Gayle, Identity Theft Tax Refund Scheme, Florida 2013

Identity theft tax refund scheme has been a major concern in Florida, and recently, a man from Miami was convicted of this serious crime. Oliver Gayle, 43, of Miami, was found guilty of a complex scheme that involved the theft of patient information from Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The scheme, which was uncovered in 2013, involved Gayle using the stolen information to obtain tax refunds from the U.S. government. He was able to do this by using the identities of multiple individuals, including patients from Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Gayle was found guilty of one count of possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices, which includes debit cards and social security numbers of other persons with corresponding names and dates of birth. He was also found guilty of three counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of possessing, using and attempting to use a U.S. visa knowing it to be forged, counterfeited, altered and falsely made.

The investigation into Gayle's scheme was led by the Identity Theft Tax Refund Strike Force, which included the IRS-CI, Aventura Police Department, ICE-HSI and SSA-OIG. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elina A. Rubin-Smith and Michael J. Garofola.

Gaye faces up to 10 years in prison on the access device fraud count, as well as two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. He also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on the fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents count.

The sentencing hearing for Gayle is scheduled for January 9, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham. This case is a prime example of the importance of protecting patient information and taking action against those who engage in identity theft and tax refund schemes.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/former-mount-sinai-medical-center-temporary-employee-convicted-identity-theft-tax