A former employee of TD Bank, N.A. in Florida has admitted to accepting bribes for fraudulently opening over 100 bank accounts. Jhonnatan Steven Rodriguez, also known as “Jorge,” entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court. He faces charges of receiving bribes as a bank employee and making false bank entries, with sentencing set for November 25, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Rodriguez began this scheme in late 2022, taking bribes ranging from $200 to $250 per account to open approximately 140 fraudulent accounts. Some of these accounts were used for illicit activities. To conceal his identity, Rodriguez used the alias “Jorge” when communicating with individuals seeking these accounts.
The charge of receiving bribes by a bank employee could result in up to 30 years in prison and a fine of either $1 million or three times the value involved. Making false bank entries carries similar penalties.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited several agencies for their roles in the investigation: the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation’s Newark Field Office led by Special Agent Jenifer L. Piovesan; the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Caribbean Division under Special Agent Michael A. Miranda; and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General’s New York Region headed by Special Agent Patricia Tarasca. The Morristown Police Department also assisted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney are representing the government in this case.
Defense counsel includes Murdoch Walker, Esq., and Serguel Akiti, Esq.
