The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Tallahassee Regional Operations Center, Florida Department of Corrections’ (FDOC) Inspector General’s Office and United States Postal Inspection Service yesterday charged Michael William Joseph, 50, with fraudulent use of personal identification and organized fraud.

The case began in April 2009 when an Apalachee Correctional Institution employee observed suspicious activity involving Joseph and his mother, Deloris Werner. The FDOC contacted FDLE for investigative assistance.

The investigation revealed that Joseph obtained personal information from other inmates to fraudulently complete more than 50 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax refund forms totaling more than $88,000. Once the tax refunds were approved by the IRS and deposited into Joseph’s bank account, Werner made structured deposits into Joseph’s inmate canteen account.

Joseph was charged with seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification and one count of organized fraud. He faces a maximum 90 year prison sentence if convicted on all charges.

Werner was charged with fraudulent use of personal identification. She faces a maximum 15 year prison sentence if convicted of the charge.

Joseph remains an inmate of the FDOC. Werner was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.

This case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 14th Judicial Circuit.

For Further Information Contact:
Heather Smith, Kristen Chernosky or Mike Morrison
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001