Hugh Robinson, 46, Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Identity Theft Tax Fraud
Hugh Robinson, a resident of San Pablo, California, was sentenced yesterday to serve 144 months in prison for filing tax returns using the identities of deceased individuals and stealing social security and refund checks destined for other individuals.
According to evidence presented at his trial, from at least August 2013 through April 2015, Robinson and his co-conspirators took names and personal identification information of deceased individuals from California death records and used them to file income tax returns seeking refunds. They directed the refunds to addresses and bank accounts that they controlled.
Roland also bought and cashed legitimate refund and social security benefits checks that he knew had been stolen. Robinson and his co-conspirators obtained fraudulent California IDs and used them to cash the refund and social security checks at various stores, including in the Richmond-area.
In total, Robinson intended to cause a loss of more than $1.5 million. He was convicted of conspiring to steal public money, stealing public money, and aggravated identity theft in October 2016.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, Robinson was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $900,402 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The investigation was conducted by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Newman and Jose A. Olivera, and Trial Attorney Gregory Bernstein of the Tax Division.
Robertson’s sentence is a reminder that identity theft and tax fraud will not be tolerated. The public can report any suspicious activity to the IRS’s Whistleblower Program.
Related Federal Cases
- Clarence Donya Hicks, Identity Fraud Tax Scam, Montgomery AL, 2023 · Alabama
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Return Fraud, Lathrop CA, 2023 · Alabama
- Amy Evangelista Sentenced to 18 Months for Tax Fraud Scheme, Lathro… · Alaska
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Louis Joseph Vadino, Tax Evasion and Passport Fraud, CA, 2023 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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