Willie C. Grant, ID Theft and Tax Refund Fraud, Macon GA, 2008

Washington – A Macon, Ga., tax preparer, Willie C. Grant, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for filing false claims for tax refunds, theft of government money, and aggravated identity theft. The Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the sentence.

The court documents reveal that from 2003 through 2008, Grant operated Grant Income Tax Bookkeeping and Check Cash (GIT) out of his home. He utilized deceased individuals’ names and his former clients’ Social Security numbers to file fraudulent returns. Grant cashed or deposited the refunds into his accounts, spending the proceeds on personal items like expensive cars.

Grant admitted to abusing his position as a professional tax preparer. Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally emphasized the harm caused to honest taxpayers when return preparers misuse their trust.

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Michael Moore, stated that Grant’s actions victimized not only the individuals whose identities were used but all American taxpayers. Richard Weber, Chief IRS Criminal Investigation, highlighted the importance of investigating refund fraud and identity theft, emphasizing the need to hold such individuals accountable.

Assistant Attorney General Keneally commended the special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation and the Tax Division Trial Attorneys Charles M. Edgar, Jr., and Justin K. Gelfand for their efforts in investigating and prosecuting this case.

The sentence reflects the severity of Grant’s crimes and sends a strong message to those who would attempt to defraud the government and innocent taxpayers through identity theft and tax fraud.