Everett man pleads guilty to bank fraud conspiracy
BOSTON – An Everett man pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering following an extensive investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Gean Fabio DaSilva, 33, pleaded guilty after being indicted in December 2013 for his role in a sophisticated bank fraud scheme that involved the use of dozens of counterfeit identities to fraudulently open bank accounts.
It is alleged that the defendant conspired to defraud banks by depositing worthless checks into accounts opened in fictitious names and then withdrawing funds before the banks realized the deposits were worthless. In July 2012, the defendant allegedly used illegally-obtained funds to purchase, at least in part, a cashier's check used to buy real estate in Everett.
Two other defendants in this scheme, Andre DeOliveira, of Everett, and Getulia DaSilva Pereira, of Woburn, previously pleaded guilty to related charges.
"HSI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the institutions affected to aggressively investigate financial fraud crimes and target those individuals and organizations that attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in financial systems," said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston. "Individuals and organizations that engage in the deception and financial exploitation of honest investors and financial institutions will be held accountable."
Senior U.S. District Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2015.
The maximum sentence under the bank fraud conspiracy statute is 30 years in prison, followed by up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The maximum sentence under the money laundering statute is 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
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