Former Tampa banker to serve 15 months, pay $400K in restitution for fraud

Former banker Igor Shushpanov, 39, of Tampa, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for bank fraud.

Shushpanov pleaded guilty last November to the charges, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office. The court, according to the statement, ordered Shushpanov to pay $407,398 in restitution, which represents the loss amount. He was also ordered to forfeit $303,093 in proceeds he obtained through his criminal activity. 

According to officials, from 2017 to 2022 Shushpanov opened several accounts at credit unions that were attached to the Federal Home Loan Bank system. During this time he would max out lines of credit and pay off the balances with checks from accounts under his control. 

By the time the bad checks were returned, he would max out his lines of credit again and achieve even higher negative balances. He then filed for bankruptcy protection to avoid paying the balances. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida did not disclose the name of the bank where he worked.