Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office, and Frank Robey, Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU), announce that Brian Charles Tolley, 39, of Bedford, Virginia, has been indicted for wire fraud, identity theft, aggravated identity theft, possession of counterfeit government seals, and money laundering.
According to the allegations in the indictment, Tolley was employed by PartsBase, Inc., which is located in Boca Raton, Florida, as Vice President from 2001 through 2001, as Chief Information Office from 2001 through January 2014, and President from 2010 until January 2014. Between June 2007 and September 2013, he submitted to PartsBase forged documentation from various branches of the U.S. military and other government agencies. These documents purported to acknowledge Tolley’s orders of procurement data on PartsBase’s behalf. Tolley then requested reimbursement from PartsBase for charges he had purportedly incurred from the government agencies. In total, PartsBase paid Tolley approximately $1.6 million in fraudulent reimbursements based on this scheme. Tolley used the money, in part, to purchase a 2011 Buick Enclave, a 2011 Lincoln Navigator, and real estate in Bedford, Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated “Today’s charges evidence the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to pursue those who abuse their corporate positions for their own financial gain."
John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Southeast Field Office, DCIS, stated, “Individuals who commit fraud and deceit undermine the integrity of the Federal procurement process. DCIS will use all available law enforcement resources to bring violators to justice to combat fraud and corruption affecting Defense programs, to include the seizing of personal assets gained through illegal means."
“We are very gratified to see this indictment and that the allegations against Mr. Tolley will soon be presented in a court of law where a judge and jury can view the evidence," said Director Frank Robey. “We are confident the hard work of our Army Special Agents, the prosecutor, and our fellow law enforcement officials will pay dividends to the American taxpayer."
If convicted, Tolley faces maximum statutory sentences of 20 years imprisonment on each count of wire fraud, 15 years imprisonment on each count of identity theft, five years imprisonment on each count of possession of counterfeit government seals, and 10 years imprisonment on each count of money laundering. Tolley faces a mandatory sentence of two years imprisonment on each count of aggravated identity theft.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Army Criminal Investigation Command. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne.
An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
