U.S. Attorney Natalie K. Wight | U.S. Department of Justice
A Redmond man has been sentenced to federal prison for identity theft and tax evasion. Michael David Anastasia, 69, received a 24-month prison term and three years of supervised release. He is also required to pay $777,899 in restitution to his victim, with additional restitution to the IRS pending.
Court documents reveal that from 2002 until January 2020, Anastasia used a stolen social security number to open over 30 bank accounts and credit cards. Between 1991 and 2003, he acquired $1.4 million from another victim by fabricating an agreement with the U.S. government for access to allegedly seized funds. In 2007, he was convicted of tax evasion for not paying taxes on these funds.
Following his release from prison in November 2015, Anastasia made an agreement with the IRS to pay off his tax debt if his income exceeded $4,526 monthly. Instead of fulfilling this obligation, he arranged for excess funds to be sent to his roommate who would then withdraw them in cash for storage at Anastasia's residence. This scheme allowed him to evade more than $180,000 in taxes between March 2016 and September 2018.
On February 15, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Anastasia on multiple charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin W. Bruce and William M. McLaren from the District of Oregon.
