Investigations

David Frank, former manager, and Melanie Murphy, former customer service representative, of All American Van Lines of Pembroke Park, FL, were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Miami for their involvement in a household goods moving scheme that defrauded 259 victims and amounted to $1.5 million in losses. In the scheme, five defendants induced victims to contract for household goods moving and shipping services while fraudulently forcing them to pay significantly higher bogus hidden costs. The defendants then held the goods as ransom and, in some cases, never returned the victims' belongings. Frank was ordered jailed for 20 months. Murphy received 12 months in jail. Both men were ordered to pay $5,914 each in restitution to one of the victims.

Last summer, Yaron Tishby, president, and Ramon DelValle, foreman, were each given prison terms and ordered to make full restitution to the victims. The fifth and final defendant, Caroline McGowan is a fugitive and believed to be somewhere in Ireland. The investigation was conducted jointly by OIG, FBI, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.