Theft of Patient Information and Tax Fraud Guilty Charge for Former Nurse Convicted

by | Oct 30, 2017

A former staff nurse, 41-year old Tangela Lawson-Brown from Midway, has been found guilty of wire fraud, stealing government funds, possession of unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft by a court in Tallahassee.

She employed as a nurse in a Tallahassee nursing centre between October 2011 and December 2012. During her time working at the nursing home, Lawson-Brown stole the personal data of 26 patients, although she was found to have a notebook containing the personal information of 150 people.

According to a press release published by the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Lawson-Brown’s husband was detained in January 2013 and items were seized from Lawson-Brown’s vehicle by the Tallahassee Police Department, including the offending notebook.

The official police investigation showed that in 2011, Lawson-Brown used the stolen details to file fraudulent tax returns in the names of 105 people, including 24 patients of the nursing centre. Lawson-Brown filed claims totaling more than $1 million. The IRS found many of the claims were fraudulent, although $141,790 in tax refunds was paid out by the IRS.

The refunds were deposited in many bank accounts that Lawson-Brown and the funds were used to pay personal expenses, cover car repairs, and to pay off the mortgage for her house.

Lawson-Brown will be sentenced on January 4, 2018 in Florida. She faces a maximum jail term of 20 years for each count of wire fraud, 10 years for each count of theft of government funds and possession of unauthorized access devices, and another two years will be added to her final sentence for aggravated identity theft.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Christopher P. Canova, commented, “This case illustrates the vulnerability of elderly and disabled persons.  Relatives and other caregivers should be alert to unauthorized tax returns, bank accounts, credit cards, and financial transactions, and should immediately report identity theft crimes to law enforcement agencies.”

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Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy is a highly accomplished journalist and editor with nearly two decades of experience in the field. With expertise in writing and editing content, Patrick has made significant contributions to various publications and organizations. Over the course of his career, Patrick has successfully managed teams of writers, overseeing the production of high-quality content and ensuring its adherence to professional standards. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of journalistic principles, have allowed him to create cohesive and engaging narratives that resonate with readers. A notable area of specialization for Patrick lies in compliance, particularly in relation to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). He has authored numerous articles delving into the complexities of compliance and its implications for various industries. Patrick's comprehensive understanding of HIPAA regulations has positioned him as a go-to expert, sought after for his insights and expertise in this field. Patrick's bachelors degree is from the University of Limerick and his master's degree in journalism is from Dublin City University. You can contact Patrick through his LinkedIn profile:

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