Conspiracy, Federal Crime, Fraud, Mail Fraud, Southern District of Florida, White Collar Crime, Wire Fraud

 

According to information disclosed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District (Miami Division), Michael Mazar was employed as a BOP correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Miami from July 2009 through April 2017.  In February 2017, Mazar provided an inmate with several cell phones, which the inmate used to pretend he was an employee of various film and music companies and convince several retail and jewelry stores to send promotional items such as handbags, watches, apparel, and jewelry to various locations in South Florida to several co-conspirators.  When the items were received, the co-conspirators sold them at pawn shops and jewelry stores.  Mazar received the proceeds, including retail items, jewelry, and cash, from these co-conspirators and stored them at his residence.  Mazar and other co-conspirators also traveled to Atlanta to sell several pieces of jewelry valued at over $3 million.  Mazar pled guilty and was sentenced this week to 5 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $8,949,025 in restitution.