A former nightclub bouncer has been convicted of identity theft and conspiracy to defraud the United States for more than $200,000 in a scheme that spanned several years.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, John Hunter, Sr., 46, of Eagan, Minnesota, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, false claims, and aggravated identity theft after a four-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Doty.
As proven at trial, in February 2010, Hunter filed a fraudulent 2009 tax return in his own name, claiming he had earned $13,000 in 2009 working at Club Rage, Inc., a company that owned a nightclub in Maplewood, Minnesota. However, Hunter only earned just over $4,000 in wages that year and had no taxes withheld from his paychecks.
Despite this, Hunter ultimately received a refund of $7,646 based on this fraudulent tax return. He then went on to file fraudulent tax returns in the names of several dozen other people in the spring of 2010, using fraudulent wage and employment information to obtain refunds.
As proven at trial, Hunter filed at least 45 fraudulent tax returns claiming more than $200,000 in tax refunds. He repeated a similar scheme in January 2012, filing fraudulent returns in his own name and that of others.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, with substantial assistance from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson and Amber Brennan.
Defendant Information:
JOHN HUNTER, SR., 46
Eagan, Minn.
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States, 1 count
- False claims, 8 counts
- Aggravated identity theft, 2 counts
A sentencing date has not been set.
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota can be reached at (612) 664-5600.
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Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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