WASHINGTON A former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. employee pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy in connection with an identity fraud scheme, the agencys inspector general said.
Theresa A. Hill, a Maryland resident who worked in the FDICs finance division, admitted to conspiring with five others to create fraudulent identification cards bearing victims names and to use them to open credit accounts, obtain retail store goods, and make purchases over the Internet, the inspector general said Friday.
Authorities said the schemes victims included other FDIC employees, as well as members of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, including federal law enforcement officers.
An indictment of Ms. Hill claimed that she and her partners used personal information, including names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and home addresses to create the I.D. cards and make the fraudulent purchases.
The inspector generals office said that between August 1999 and June 2000 the conspirators used the false accounts to purchase gift certificates, jewelry, and electronic equipment.
Ms. Hill confessed to checking the victims credit status by applying for credit accounts using their names, Social Security numbers, and other identifying information, the inspector general said. Ms. Hill faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29.
Four of her alleged accomplices also pled guilty and could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The remaining suspect, who was employed in the administrative office of the Health and Human Services inspector general, has also been charged but has not been tried or admitted wrongdoing.
