Former BOA worker sentenced

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Luciana Alvarado, a former claims associate for Bank of America in Wesley Chapel, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for wire fraud, theft by a bank employee, and identity theft, the U.S. Attorney's office says.

Beginning in November 2007, four months after she was hired, Alvarado made fraudulent credits, overdrafts and address changes to Bank of America accounts, fraudulent changes that ultimately benefitted her and her family, the U.S. Attorney says.

Even after she was fired in November 2008, she continued to commit fraud, opening accounts with other institutions like ING Bank and E-trade using information from Bank of America accounts.

Alvarado pleaded guilty to all charges July 7. She was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich this week.