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Former contractor for Florida Prepaid College Program indicted on fraud, identify theft charges

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Posted at 12:09 PM, Jun 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-05 12:09:33-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Tallahassee woman and former Florida Prepaid College Program contractor has been indicted by a grand jury after being accused of using account owners information to steal their refund checks.

According to court documents, a federal grand jury in Tallahassee returned an indictment Thursday charging 30-year-old Jamilla Hall with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, five counts of mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

The indictment alleges that the Florida Prepaid College Board, which administers the Florida Prepaid College Program, contracted with Intuition College Savings Solutions to provide customer service and records administration services for Florida Prepaid College Program.

The indictment further states that Hall, who was an employee of ICSS committed mail fraud and identity theft on or about July 1, 2018, and on or about December 31, 2018.

Authorities say Hall accessed and viewed the personal identification information of Florida Prepaid account owners and beneficiaries, and then fraudulently changed mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses associated with existing Florida Prepaid plans.

The indictment also states that Hall completed cancellation forms using the personal identification information of Florida Prepaid account owners and beneficiaries.

In doing so, Hall fraudulently caused Florida Prepaid refund checks to be mailed and delivered by the United States Postal Service, which she personally cashed or which she gave to others to fraudulently cash.

In total, documents say she fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain approximately $42,000 in funds to which she was not entitled.

Now, Hall faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, and a 2-year mandatory minimum prison sentence consecutive to any other sentence imposed for aggravated identity theft.

This case resulted from an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.

The jury trial for Hall is scheduled for July 29, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.