Lighthouse Point Grifter Gets a Year for IRS Scam

LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL – Another Florida man has learned the hard way that cheating the IRS isn’t a victimless crime. Bradley Bowman, of Lighthouse Point, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison for a brazen attempt to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, according to a joint announcement from U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino.

Court documents reveal Bowman, in 2009, submitted a completely fabricated 2005 individual income tax return, demanding a refund of $299,024. The scheme wasn’t hatched in a vacuum. Bowman enlisted the help of Penny Jones, a known con artist already serving a hefty 12-year sentence for her role in a larger operation involving over 380 fraudulent returns. Jones prepped the bogus filing, allowing Bowman to falsely claim a gross income of $447,036 while simultaneously asserting that all of it had been withheld for taxes – a clear impossibility.

This wasn’t a simple oversight. It was a calculated attempt to steal from American taxpayers. Bowman pleaded guilty on May 27th, admitting to the scheme and facing the consequences. Beyond the prison sentence, he’s been ordered to pay a staggering $300,403 in restitution to the IRS, meaning he’ll be chipping away at this debt long after he’s released. He’ll also be under three years of supervised release, a constant reminder of his criminal actions.

The investigation was spearheaded by the dedicated agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who tirelessly untangled this web of deceit. Their work, coupled with the prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha Mitrani and Trial Attorney Greg Bailey of the Tax Division, brought Bowman to justice. The IRS isn’t shy about pursuing these cases, and rightfully so. Every dollar stolen through false claims impacts vital government programs and burdens honest taxpayers.

This case serves as a stark warning: attempting to game the tax system will land you in federal prison. Bowman’s sentence, while seemingly short, is a felony conviction that will follow him for life. It’s a costly lesson learned – and a message sent to anyone else considering a similar scheme.

For more information on the Justice Department’s Tax Division and its ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes, visit their website. Details regarding this case and related court documents can also be found on the websites of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, as well as through PACER.