Redmond Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Identity Theft, Tax Evasion
EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 69-year-old Redmond, Oregon man has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after using a stolen identity to open over 30 bank accounts and credit cards, while also evading payment on a significant tax debt totaling $1.1 million.
Michael David Anastasia was sentenced Tuesday, and in addition to his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay nearly $778,000 in restitution to the victim of his identity theft. The amount of restitution owed to the IRS will be determined at a later date.
Court records reveal that from 2002 until January 2020, Anastasia fraudulently used the Social Security number of an unsuspecting individual to open multiple bank accounts and credit cards. Further investigation showed that between 1991 and 2003, Anastasia defrauded another victim of $1.4 million by fabricating a story about a supposed agreement with the U.S. government to access "seized funds." In 2007, he was convicted of tax evasion for failing to pay taxes on the money he received from this scheme.
Following his release from prison in 2015, Anastasia entered into an agreement with the IRS to make monthly payments towards his tax debt. However, instead of paying his taxes, Anastasia manipulated the victim into sending additional funds, which he had his roommate withdraw in cash and store at his home. Between March 2016 and September 2018, Anastasia successfully evaded over $180,000 in tax payments.
In February 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene indicted Anastasia on nine counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, tax evasion, and making false statements to financial institutions. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and identity theft in September 2024.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the IRS and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin W. Bruce and William M. McLaren.
