2 Lakeland Lowe's Workers Accused Of Employee Data Breach

LAKELAND, FL — Two Lowe's employees are accused of conducting fraud operations through the company's payroll system, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Solomon Smith, 19, and Garret Sivley, 18, both of Lakeland, face multiple charges that include fraud, grand theft, and other crimes against 222 victims, investigators said.

Detectives conducted a two-month operation on the two suspects that began on Sept. 20 after a Lowe's manager told authorities about a possible payroll fraud.

According to the PCSO affidavit, Smith and Sivley gained access to employee payroll accounts via the computer and changed the direct deposit information, sending the payroll funds to fraudulent bank accounts before moving the money to cash apps.

The suspects are accused of stealing $11,795 from employees' payroll accounts.

Investigators said Smith and Sivley used the stolen money to buy cell phones and sell them on Ebay.

The Lowes' locations at 3600 North 98, Lakeland and 2801 James L Redman Parkway, Plant City, were two of the stores affected, according to authorities.

Law enforcement officials said that customer information was not taken during this data breach.

Lowe's terminated the suspects, detectives said.

Smith was already in jail on Oct. 15 for charges related to car burglaries, officers said.

On Nov. 19, charges from the accused fraud committed through Lowe's was added to what he was already facing, authorities said.

“It is amazing that these two criminals come from nice families with nice homes," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "Apparently they thought they were above the law. I can tell you that is not the case, and we will do everything we can to hold them accountable.”

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Smith faces the following charges:

• Grand theft
• Obtaining property by fraud
• Fraudulent use of ID with more than 30 victims
• Unlawful possession of ID
• Fraudulent use of credit card
• Defrauding a financial institution
• Money laundering
• Burglary
• Computer fraud
• Obtaining property by fraud
• Dealing in stolen property
• Director of dealing in stolen property
• Possession of counterfeit merchandise
• Armed burglary
• Grand theft of a firearm
• Unlawful use of a two-way device
• Gross fraud
• Counterfeiting goods
• Selling counterfeit goods

Sivley was arrested on the following multiple charges Thursday, according to the sheriff's office:

• Grand theft
• Obtaining property by fraud
• Unlawful possession of ID
• Computer fraud
• Unlawful use of a two-way
• Gross Fraud
• Use of an ID without consent