By C1 Staff
MARIN COUNTY, Calif. — An inmate who stole the identities of around 700 prisoners while behind bars during a two-year scheme was found guilty Jan. 24.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Howard Webber, 52, conspired to use stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns, netting him and an accomplice more than $600,000.
Webber and accomplice Clifford Bercovich, 69, filed the returns through a limited liability company they created called Inmate Assets Recovery and Liquidation Services. The money was wired to a bank account they controlled or sent to a P.O. box.
Webber has been incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, Santa Clara County Jail and Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, prosecutors said. While serving time, he convinced inmates to give him their full names and Social Security numbers. He also paid others $75 for each inmate they recruited.
Webber was convicted of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. He is expected to be sentenced May 16.
Bercovich pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. He will be sentenced April 11.