Elise Ellis, Tax Fraud Conspiracy, Florida 2017

Tampa Mother Sentenced for Tax Fraud Conspiracy

Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of deceit and financial manipulation, a mother and her two sons have been brought to justice for their roles in a massive tax fraud conspiracy.

U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Elise Ellis to 18 months in federal prison and 6 months of home detention for her involvement in the conspiracy to commit tax fraud and aggravated identity theft. The Court also entered a joint and several money judgment in the amount of $221,000, representing the proceeds of the tax fraud conspiracy.

Ellis pleaded guilty to the charges on January 3, 2017, marking the beginning of the end for this family’s illicit operation. Her sons, Keith Godbolt and Paul Johnson, were previously sentenced to four years and three years and six months, respectively, for their roles in the case.

According to court documents, from August 2011 through April 2013, Ellis, Godbolt, and Johnson conspired to commit wire fraud, theft of government property, and identity theft by electronically filing fraudulent tax returns in the names of others, using their social security numbers. The fraudulent tax refunds were directed to bank accounts in the defendants’ names, or in some cases, to debit cards that they controlled.

The scheme involved claiming unusually high taxable interest or dividend income, often using the exact same figure, with a large withholding amount, and a false occupation listed for the taxpayer. Tragically, many of the victims were deceased when their false tax return was filed, making their financial and emotional suffering all the more devastating.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen. This sentencing serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, and that those who engage in financial crimes will be held accountable for their actions.

As the Grimy Times continues to investigate and report on cases like this, it is clear that there is still much work to be done to protect the public from financial predators. We will continue to shine a light on these crimes and bring attention to the hardworking law enforcement officials who work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.

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