Ebensberg Woman Gets a Year for IRS Scam

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Roxanne Lamer, 46, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, is trading her freedom for a federal cell. The Ebensberg woman was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison today, followed by three years of supervised release, after being convicted of conspiring to stick it to Uncle Sam.

U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson handed down the sentence, confirming Lamer’s role in a calculated scheme to defraud the United States. The scheme, hatched between June 9, 2007, and April 15, 2008, involved Lamer assisting a co-conspirator in burying income from the Internal Revenue Service – plain and simple tax evasion.

Federal prosecutors laid out the evidence, demonstrating Lamer’s direct involvement in helping another individual dodge their tax obligations. The details revealed a deliberate effort to conceal assets, depriving the government of revenue and playing fast and loose with the law. It’s a classic case of greed, and now Lamer’s paying the price.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines spearheaded the prosecution, building a solid case against Lamer. This wasn’t some accidental oversight; it was a coordinated conspiracy, and Haines made sure the court understood the gravity of the offense. The government isn’t messing around when it comes to protecting the tax base.

U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton acknowledged the collaborative effort that brought Lamer to justice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS Criminal Investigation division, and even the Ebensburg Borough Police Department all played a crucial role in the investigation. It’s a reminder that these investigations often require a multi-agency approach to untangle complex financial crimes.

Lamer’s case serves as a stark warning: attempting to cheat the IRS will almost certainly lead to a reckoning. While some might view tax evasion as a victimless crime, it undermines the entire system and ultimately harms everyone. The feds are watching, and they’re ready to come down hard on those who try to game the system. She’ll have plenty of time to contemplate that behind bars.