Related Federal Cases
- Jermaine Winters, Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft, Chipley FL, … · Florida
- Andy Lamour, Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- Stanley Fertil, Identity Theft and Unemployment Insurance Fraud, Mi… · Florida
- Wisly Toussaint Sentenced to 14 Years for Identity Theft Tax Refund… · Florida
- Louis A. Francois, Identity Theft Tax Fraud, Oakland Park FL, 2023 · Florida
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to $2M Tax Fraud
A Miami-Dade man has been convicted of a brazen scheme to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Jean Leroy Destine, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiring to use stolen IDs to file over 2,000 tax returns seeking more than $2 million in refunds.
According to court documents, Destine and his co-conspirators obtained stolen IDs, including those of prisoners and deceased individuals, in Broward and Miami-Dade counties from approximately 2008 through January 2015. They used this information to prepare and file tax returns electronically, using Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) obtained from the IRS.
The conspirators directed the refunds to debit cards and treasury checks mailed to various addresses. These checks were cashed at check cashing stores and funds were withdrawn from debit cards at Western Union locations and ATMs. The elaborate scheme was designed to avoid detection and cover their tracks.
Destine faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 14. The investigation was conducted by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Karadbil and Assistant Chief Greg Tortella of the Tax Division.
Acting U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg commended the agents and prosecutors involved in the case. The Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on their website.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
