Investigations

On May 23, 2017, Richard Hoagland of Zephyrhills, FL, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Tampa, for using an assumed identity to fraudulently obtain FAA airman and medical certificates. Hoagland was sentenced to 24 months’ incarceration followed by 12 months of supervised release, pursuant to his guilty plea on one count of aggravated identification theft.

 

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 conducted this investigation jointly with the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services, FBI, and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.