TRENTON, N.J. – In a shocking revelation, Marie Poitevien, 53, of Orange, New Jersey, admitted to participating in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, netting over $1 million in ill-gotten gains.
According to documents filed in court, Poitevien conspired with her cohorts to submit fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities, which generated refund checks totaling $1,101,689. The scheme, which ran from October 2009 through June 2013, involved Poitevien depositing the checks into her personal bank account and withdrawing the funds.
Poitevien pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal government funds, punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Feder of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel Linda Foster Esq. Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton.
Poitevien is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2015.
The case highlights the growing threat of stolen identity refund fraud, a crime that involves the use of stolen identities to commit tax refund fraud. According to the IRS, SIRF schemes often involve the use of personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and dates of birth, to file false tax returns and claim refunds.
Related Federal Cases
- Gomidas Garabed Hartounian, Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion, New Jersey 2014 · Florida
- Doreen A. Gentile, Mail Fraud and Filing a False Income Tax Return, New Jersey 2009 · Pennsylvania
- Reginald Eaford, Tax Fraud, New Jersey 2017 · Pennsylvania
- Sato Satka, Bank Fraud, New Jersey 2024 · Illinois
- Vincent J. Gamuzza, Health Care Fraud, New Jersey 2023 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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