FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TUESDAY - September 14, 2010
FLORIDA MAN SCAMS FORMER FELLOW INMATE'S FAMILY
RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday SCOTT GORMAN, 43, of North Point, Florida, pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt to wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.
According to the Criminal Information filed on August 26, 2010, GORMAN met a fellow inmate in the fall of 2005 when they both were incarcerated at Madison Correctional Institute in Florida. The two became friends, talking regularly until GORMAN's release. After his release, GORMAN mailed letters to the inmate claiming that he worked for a Prisoner Advocacy Agency and could get the inmate's case overturned. GORMAN then requested a $500.00 retainer fee. The inmate contacted a family member and requested that the $500.00 be sent to GORMAN. From April, 2006, to April, 2009, the family member received numerous letters, phone calls, and e-mails from GORMAN giving updates of the progress being made, but more money for additional expenses related to the case was requested. Whenever the family member would question GORMAN about the money, he would suddenly have a breakthrough and give a date for the inmate's release. When that date would come and go, GORMAN would come up with a problem that arose which would invariably require additional money to fix. The family member sent GORMAN approximately $100,000.00 via money orders, Western Union wire transfers, Wal-Mart’s MoneyGram service, and Greendot. Eventually the family member decided to contact authorities in Florida about the situation and discovered no one was aware of anything being done on the inmate's behalf by GORMAN. The maximum penalty for the charge is up to 20 years' imprisonment followed by up to three years' supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lumberton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Felice McConnell Corpening represented the government.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.
