PHILADELPHIA - Damian Gasdaska, 37, of Phillipsburg, NJ, was charged today by Indictment with one count of conspiracy, six counts of wire fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.
The indictment alleges that Gasdaska and his co-conspirators, Randall McMahon, of Easton, PA, and John Cordero, of Breinigsville, PA, both charged elsewhere, obtained and used personal identifying information to create false identities which he then utilized in various ways, such as applying for credit cards and purchasing or renting vehicles. One way in which Gasdaska obtained the personal identifying information was from old court records. Gasdaska allegedly took steps to create favorable credit profiles for these false identities, and to improve the individuals’ credit profiles. These steps included obtaining reports on the individuals, requesting the modification of information in the reports, and engaging in transactions in the names of the false identities to improve their credit profiles. Gasdaska allegedly prepared or obtained false driver’s licenses, social security cards, college identifications, insurance cards, employment records, and bills and invoices. He allegedly provided some of the fraudulent credit cards he acquired to his co-conspirators and kept some for himself.
According to the indictment, during the conspiracy, Gasdaska used Post Offices boxes in the name of the false identities to receive mail for various purposes, such as in connection with credit card applications, and used computers at public libraries to further the conspiracy. After co-conspirators made their purchases, they often provided the purchased items to Gasdaska who then sold them and paid the co-conspirators for their illegal services.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 335 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, a $9million fine, a $1,500 special assessment, and restitution.
The case was investigated by United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and the Lehigh County Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Murray.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
