Former Credit Union Teller Sentenced To Prison For Tax Fraud Conspiracy

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Louren Velez to three years in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and to steal government funds, and for aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Velez to forfeit $351,431.44, as well as a 2010 Honda automobile, which was traceable to proceeds of the offense. 

Velez was found guilty on February 28, 2014.

According to court documents Velez, a Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union teller, conspired with account holders Beverly McFadden and Larry Walker to cash forty-seven fraudulently-obtained federal income tax refund checks, totaling more than $350,000. McFadden and Walker each pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the conspiracy, for which McFadden was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison. Walker was sentenced to time served, followed by three years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bob Mosakowski.