FBI agents faked out a couple of ex-NFL football players and a former local high school star by setting up a check cashing store in North Miami, where the players are accused of cashing dozens of fraudulently obtained tax-refund checks and seeking a loan all totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• William Joseph, a University of Miami defensive tackle who was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants in 2003 and last played with the Oakland Raiders in 2010.
• Michael Bennett, a University of Wisconsin running back who also was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2001 and finished his career with the Raiders in 2011.
• Louis Gachelin, a Miami Jackson High and Syracuse University defensive lineman who signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 2004. Gachelin never made the final roster.
Arraignments are set for May 15. Their lawyers declined to comment. As part of the investigation, the FBI also arrested five other defendants Monday.
“Organized criminals are stealing $5 billion and more by fraudulently claiming tax refunds,” said John V. Gillies, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami office.
“Without proper safeguards, identity theft tax fraud has become a growing epidemic,” Gillies said.
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