A resident of Syracuse, New York was charged with stealing over $3.5 million from the City of Miami Beach’s bank account through unauthorized electronic transfers.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Daniel J. Oates, Chief, City of Miami Beach Police Department, made the announcement.
David J. Miller, 44, of Syracuse, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344; and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). The bank fraud offense carries a maximum penalty of twenty years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The aggravated identity theft offense carries a mandatory, consecutive two-year term of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
According to the complaint, Miller was responsible for the theft of approximately $3.5 million from the City of Miami Beach’s general depository account at SunTrust Bank. The complaint alleges that Miller caused the electronic transfer of these stolen funds to an account opened in the name of “Company A.” According to the complaint, Company A provides a service that allows customers to purchase, sell, and transfer seat licenses and seat location rights at sporting venues around the United States, including National Football League (NFL) stadiums.
The complaint alleges that between July 2016 and October 2016, Miller used the identity of victim “R.W.” in connection with the bank fraud scheme. Specifically, Miller used R.W.’s identity to create an online profile on Company A’s website. Miller also supplied Company A with the bank account number and routing number for one of the City of Miami Beach’s SunTrust Bank accounts.
Using funds from the City of Miami Beach’s account, Miller purchased approximately 157 seat licenses at NFL stadiums around the country. Miller also used stolen funds to purchase season and individual game tickets at NFL games and other sporting events. According to the complaint, Miller further used the City of Miami Beach’s money to pay his utilities bills. In one instance, Miller caused a counterfeit check, purportedly issued by the City of Miami Beach, to be deposited into a family member’s bank account.
According to court records, Miller is currently in custody in Onondaga County, New York, on state identity theft charges.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the City of Miami Beach Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher B. Browne, Harold E. Schimkat, and Nalina Sombuntham.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
