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Tampa Brothers Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud Conspiracy
Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of financial deception, two Tampa brothers, Keith Godbolt and Paul Johnson, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a tax fraud conspiracy. U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore handed down the sentences, marking a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat financial crime.
The brothers, along with their co-defendant and mother, Elise Ellis, were found guilty of conspiring to commit wire fraud, theft of government property, and identity theft. According to court documents, from August 2011 through April 2013, the trio electronically filed fraudulent tax returns in other people’s names, using their social security numbers to obtain refunds.
The refunds, totaling $221,000, were directed to bank accounts controlled by the defendants, or in some cases, to debit cards they controlled. The money was then withdrawn through a series of transactions, including bank transfers and cash withdrawals.
Many of the victims of the tax fraud scheme were deceased when their false tax returns were filed. The scheme relied on the use of fake information, including unusually high taxable interest or dividend income, and false occupations listed for the taxpayers.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen leading the prosecution. The sentences handed down by Judge Whittemore were significant, with Keith Godbolt receiving three years and six months in federal prison, and Paul Johnson receiving four years’ imprisonment.
The joint and several money judgments entered by the court amount to $221,000, representing the proceeds of the tax fraud conspiracy. The sentences mark a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat financial crime and protect taxpayers from fraudulent activity.
Elise Ellis, the co-defendant and mother of the brothers, pleaded guilty on January 3, 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2017. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in preventing financial crimes and the consequences that those who commit them face.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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