The pension accounts in Florida School employees of USD 1 million, say the Feds

Five inhabitants in Florida worked together to steal more than one million dollars from the pension accounts of the school district employees in the Sunshine State, according to the public prosecutor.

One of the people involved, Ronald Vargas, worked for the company, which supervised its 401 (K) accounts, as the US lawyers' office for the northern district of Florida shows.

Now Vargas and the others have been convicted in connection with the theft of 25 retired school workers, the US law firm said in a press release on February 21.

The 38 -year -old Vargas from Osteen guilty on August 21, conspiracy to commit cable fraud, severe identity theft and conspiracy to commit money laundering, the prosecutors said.

On February 3, the jurors guilty guilty after a six -day legal proceedings against Floyd Bostic, who was accused of serving “as a money laundering for the group”, and Lambert Aguebor said the prosecutors said.

The 42 -year -old Bostic from Tallahassee was found to be guilty of committing wire fraud. Three counts of wire fraud; Heavy identity theft; Conspiracy to commit money laundering; 16 money laundering; And, according to prosecutors, operates a non -licensed money about the transfer of money.

The 33 -year -old Lambert Aguebor from Miramar was found to be guilty of committing cable fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, the prosecutors said.

In addition, “Grace” Aguebor (36) from Miramar and Sarina Levy (34) from Pembroke Pines entered guilty claims.

On February 6, Grace Aguebor guilty to commit conspiracy, wire fraud and severe identity theft.

The public defender of BOTIC, Elizabeth Vallejo, rejected McClatchy News' request for a comment on February 24, since the case is still active, she said. A lawyer who represented Grace Aguebor also refused to comment.

Lawyers who represent Vargas, Lambert Aguebor and Levy did not give back any inquiries about comments.

How the fraud program worked

Between January and March 2022, the prosecutors said that Vargas had exploited his position as a pension specialist for the steel of school workers 401 (K) accounts of the school employees.

According to the prosecutors, he worked for an unnamed company based in Tallahassee.

Vargas had access to the personal data of the employees and the supervision of the processing of withdrawal inquiries from old -age provision accounts, the prosecutors wrote in court files.

According to the prosecutors, he approved all fraudulent payout requests.

“As soon as fraudulent money has been paid in by co -swears in bank accounts, it was largely withdrawn as cash or cash equivalent,” said prosecutor.

According to the prosecutors, Vargas and the others shared the proceeds of the system.

Part of the money that was not taken as cash was used for personal, business and luxurious expenses and for the purchase of property, according to the public prosecutor.

In an interview with the law enforcement agencies on February 9, 2023, Grace Aguebor Vargas unveiled to facilitate theft, according to court documents.

“Grace generally spent the money that she received for personal expenses,” wrote prosecutors.

According to court documents, she used luxury shops, including Louis Vuitton.

Vargas received around 80,000 US dollars in cash for its role in the program, said the prosecutors.

According to court documents, he decreased Lambert Aguebor's money during two sessions in Orlando.

Ultimately, according to the prosecutors, the five accused tried to steal more than 1,405,728.79 US dollars.

They managed to steal 1,007,563.07 US dollars, according to court documents.

According to the US law firm, Vargas, Bostic, Lambert Aguebor, Grace Aguebor and Levy will be sentenced to Tallahasee on April 28th.

The suspicious financial fraud against people aged 60 and over can be reported to the National Elder fraud hotline of the Ministry of Justice under 1-833-372-8311.

Fraud complaints can also be reported online to the Federal Trade Commission.