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Ex-Tribune Employee Charged In ID Theft Of One-Time Colleague

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 20, 2009

Updated: 03/20/2009 12:51 pm

Thomas Brew

A former manager in The Tampa Tribune sports department is accused of stealing the identity of a one-time friend and colleague in order to apply for credit cards and buy a house.

Tom Brew, 50, was extradited last week from Indiana on a charge of criminal use of personal identification. Brew was the Tribune's night sports editor from October 1999 to October 2004.

According to court records, Brew used Matt Severance's identity to buy a house in Clearwater without Severance knowing about it. He also asked Severance to buy another property in Clearwater but didn't give Severance any of the $7,680 he collected in rent, records state.

Brew also is accused of using Severance's name to apply for two credit cards, racking up more than $12,000 in charges.

The crimes occurred from July 2007 through April 2008, records state.

Severance, who was a sports page designer, copy editor and supervisor for the Tribune from February 2000 to August 2007, said he and Brew had been best friends.

"He knew everything he needed to know about me," said Severance, who is now a freelance writer. "He knew everything, and I trusted him."

Brew issued a brief statement last week.

"There are several inaccuracies in these charges and a lot of revisionist history that's been told since these issues in question took place nearly two years ago," he said. "I look forward to my day in court."

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336.

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