Kenneth Laitman worked as a stockbroker in New York during the mid-1980s. Potentially living a good life. But for some unknown reason, in 1984, Latiman walked out of what is considered the cultural and business hub of the world and moved to California. Rat race was too much? City smog getting to him? Midlife crisis? Anyone’s guess. But it is a safe bet that Laitman didn’t want anyone to find him. Because Latiman changed his name to John Rodman and assumed Rodman’s identity. Tragically, the actual John Rodman passed away in 1950 at the age of four. But for Laitman it was the cover he needed to end his own life in New York City and start a full life in California for almost forty years.
Laitman had been able to obtain fraudulent forms of identification securing his ruse as Rodman including a Social Security # and a U.S. passport. Under the false identity, Laitman worked different jobs, including at an endoscopy practice. Really hope he was an administrator and not a doctor! Undeterred by the passage of time, Laitman opened bank accounts, received government benefits, and traveled internationally.
The culmination of Latiman’s elaborate scheme occurred when Laitman attempted to renew the passport. Should have cancelled his plans instead. Because someone finally asked some questions and Laitman was charged with fraudulently attempting to renew his phony passport. One would think there would be more charges for living the life of a deceased person! But it is enough to end this scheme. Latiman will be sentenced on April 29, 2024.
Excellent job by the Department of State for questioning Laitmans passport renewal
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Fresno man pleads guilty to stealing dead boy’s identity” published by Your Centervalley on January 16, 2023
In 1984, court documents say 79-year-old Kenneth Laitman aka John Rodman of Fresno, left his job as a stockbroker in New York and moved to California where he identified as John Rodman and worked at an endoscopy practice. The actual John Rodman died in 1950 at the age of four.
The DOJ says Laitman somehow obtained various forms of identification, worked different jobs, opened bank accounts, received government benefits, and took other actions while falsely using Rodman’s identity. This also included a U.S. Passport that he obtained in 2004 and used to travel overseas on multiple occasions – he was convicted of attempting to renew that passport.
