Billie Jo Bottine, Identity Theft Tax Scam, WI 2017

GREEN BAY, WI – Billie Jo Bottine, 39, of Neenah, Wisconsin, will spend the next four years in federal prison after being sentenced for a brazen tax fraud scheme that stretched across six years. Bottine was handed the sentence on March 14, 2017, by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, followed by three years of supervised release. The Eastern District of Wisconsin US Attorney’s office, led by Gregory J. Haanstad, secured the conviction.

Bottine pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the filing of over 70 fraudulent federal income tax returns between 2009 and 2014. The scheme didn’t rely on clever accounting; it relied on outright theft. Bottine illegally obtained the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of 32 different individuals – including children – and used them to create bogus tax returns.

The fraud was meticulously crafted with fake W2 and Schedule C forms, all designed to trigger hefty tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service. Bottine attempted to siphon over $340,000 from the federal government using these false filings. While she didn’t succeed in claiming the full amount, the scope of the operation is staggering.

Judge Griesbach didn’t mince words during sentencing. He cited the extended timeframe of the scheme, the vulnerability of the victims whose identities were stolen, the substantial financial loss, and Bottine’s prior history of fraudulent activity as key factors in the harsh sentence. “These types of tax fraud offenses are very serious crimes that call for significant sentences,” the judge stated.

The investigation was conducted by the dedicated agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who untangled the web of false returns and identified Bottine as the perpetrator. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin W. Proctor skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence that led to Bottine’s conviction and subsequent sentencing. Bottine was also ordered to pay $186,414 in restitution to the IRS.

This case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft and tax fraud are not victimless crimes. The IRS is actively pursuing individuals who attempt to defraud the system, and those caught face serious consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial financial penalties. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases like this one, exposing the underbelly of white-collar crime.

RELATED: Darren Bottinelli Gets 46 Months for $3M HRA Theft

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