Alabama State Worker Nabbed in Tax Fraud Scheme

MONTGOMERY, AL – A breach of public trust landed Chequila Motley in federal court this week, as the Alabama state employee pleaded guilty to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. Motley, who had access to sensitive personal information through her state job, willingly sold it to criminals for a quick buck, fueling a widespread tax refund fraud scheme.

According to court documents unsealed Tuesday, Motley began her criminal enterprise in August 2011. She conspired with Veronica Temple and Yolanda Moses, providing them with personal identification information harvested from state databases. In exchange, Motley received monetary compensation for aiding in the filing of false tax returns, effectively stealing refunds that belonged to others.

The scheme wasn’t a victimless one. While the exact financial loss is still being tallied, the impact on the individuals whose identities were stolen is significant. Motley faces a stiff penalty for her betrayal of the public trust, with a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twelve years. She also faces up to three years of supervised release following incarceration, and could be ordered to pay restitution to the victims and a fine of up to $750,000 – or twice the amount of the loss caused by her actions.

This isn’t Motley’s first fall. Her co-conspirators, Veronica Temple and Yolanda Moses, already faced justice for their roles in the scam. Both women received 57-month prison sentences for their involvement. The Justice Department is clearly sending a message: exploiting personal information for financial gain will not be tolerated.

The investigation was spearheaded by the IRS – Criminal Investigation, highlighting the agency’s commitment to tackling tax fraud. Trial attorneys Jason H. Poole and Michael Boteler of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, along with Assistant United States Attorney Todd Brown, are prosecuting the case. Sentencing for Motley has not yet been scheduled, but federal authorities are prepared to seek a significant term of imprisonment.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal data and the potential for abuse within government agencies. The Justice Department’s Tax Division can be found at www.justice.gov/tax. For press inquiries, contact Clark Morris at usaalm.press@usdoj.gov or (334) 551-1755.

RELATED: Mail Thief Nabbed: Key to the Streets

RELATED: Alabama State Worker Pilfered Identities for $1.7M Tax Scam