Investigations

On February 17, 2017, Richard Hoagland of Zephyrhills, Florida, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court, Tampa, Florida, to aggravated identity theft in a scheme to fraudulently obtain FAA airman and medical certificates through the use of an assumed identity. Pursuant to his guilty plea agreement, he also voluntarily forfeited $42,500 to the United States related to a housing fraud scheme. This money was seized in 2016 from a bank safety deposit box in the names of Hoagland and his wife.

 

The investigation revealed that in 1994, Hoagland assumed the identity of Terry J. Symansky, who had died in 1991. Using Symansky’s identity, Hoagland obtained an FAA airman certificate in 1995 and subsequently obtained FAA medical certificates. Hoagland also purchased and registered a private aircraft with the assumed identity.

 

DOT-OIG is working this investigation jointly with the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services, FBI, and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.