Eight Georgia residents were recently sentenced in federal court for various convictions following a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to reports, numerous tax fraud and money laundering conspiracy activities were conducted from 2009 to 2012. A DOJ spokesperson stated that millions of dollars were claimed on fraudulent tax returns.
According to reports, the individuals sentenced claimed $35 million in refunds on over 100 tax returns. The refunds were for the fuel taxes for a number of corporate vehicles. However, during the investigation, it was discovered that the vehicles were never used by the companies listed on the returns. Agents from IRS Criminal Investigation worked with other law enforcement agencies to uncover the activity.
Seven men and one woman from Georgia were sentenced for multiple counts, including theft of government funds, false claims conspiracy and filing false claims. Other charges included conspiracy to steal government funds, using phony identification and attempting to cash checks generated by the scheme. The sentences range from six months to seven years in prison with many followed by several years of supervised released. Several of the individuals have been ordered to pay restitution, ranging from approximately $750,000 to over $5.5 million.
As evidenced in this situation, tax fraud and other white collar crimes are treated seriously, with significant consequences when convictions are secured. Anyone dealing with these types of charges can seek assistance from a Georgia attorney with criminal defense experience at state and federal levels. A knowledgeable lawyer will analyze the situation and help each client present a rigorous defense. A supportive defense team will work toward achieving the best outcome possible in the proceedings.
Source: Atlanta, GA Patch, “8 Sentenced In Atlanta For $35M Tax Fraud Conspiracy“, Geoff Dempsey, Oct. 25, 2017