A 54-year-old Bronx resident has admitted to his part in a bank fraud conspiracy that targeted financial institutions across at least 10 states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Paul Keenan entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in federal court on February 27. The scheme aimed to defraud banks of about $143,000, successfully obtaining around $93,200 from 22 institutions.
Portsmouth Police helped Homeland Security Investigations and East Providence Police in their investigation of the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom says Keenan’s sentencing is set for May 27. The judge will weigh U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors when deciding the sentence.
Court documents show that Keenan and his accomplices recruited people, got their photos and personal information to make fake IDs. They also stole personal data from at least 28 victims and information from 20 businesses.
Using this stolen information, the group created counterfeit IDs and checks. They then traveled with their recruits to banks in several states to cash these fake checks.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Lowell is handling the prosecution, with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Hebert.
