Lauderdale Lakes Man Pleads Guilty To ID Theft Tax Scheme

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A Lauderdale Lakes man will be sentenced this April for his part in an identity theft tax scheme that netted him and his co-defendants more than $200,000.

Michael Ali Bryant, 41, pleaded Friday to two counts related to identity theft. He is the last of five co-defendants to plead guilty in the case.

According to federal court documents, an unidentified individual tried to buy drugs from Bryant, but Bryant instead offered to sell personal identity information. The individual purchased about 250 names, with Bryant providing instructions on how to use the information to obtain online tax refunds.

The investigation found the personal data came from a medical services provider where Bryant's co-defendant worked. Authorities identified 226 false claims linked to Bryant.

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In:
• Identity Theft
• Tax Fraud
• Crime