Marquet Mattox, Filing False Returns, Georgia 2021
A Georgia man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for filing dozens of false tax returns on behalf of sham trusts, netting him $5 million in refunds.
Marquet Mattox, of Lilburn, was convicted by a federal jury on August 18, 2021, of wire fraud, false claims, and theft of government funds. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2016 to 2018 Mattox filed more than 30 fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS in the names of approximately 12 different trusts. On those returns, Mattox falsely reported that the trusts had withheld large amounts of taxes on purported interest income, thereby entitling the trusts to refunds.
In total, Mattox claimed approximately $165 million in refunds on behalf of the purported trusts. The IRS paid $5 million of the requested refunds. Mattox used those funds to purchase a new house, a luxury automobile, and other personal expenses.
Mattox’s significant prison sentence makes clear that those who commit tax fraud will be identified and prosecuted, no matter how persistent or complicated their schemes.
“It’s an injustice to all those who rightfully pay their taxes when an individual criminally takes advantage of the system, in this case defrauding taxpayers of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia. “Our office and our law enforcement partners will do whatever it takes to hold fraudsters accountable for their crimes.”
In addition to the prison term, Mattox was ordered to pay approximately $3.2 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of the Inspector General. Trial Attorney Jessica Kraft of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndie Freeman for the Middle District of Georgia prosecuted the case.
Mattox’s actions demonstrate the importance of vigilance in protecting the integrity of federal tax administration. Taxpayers should be wary of any individuals promoting and using schemes to submit false filings to the IRS.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant/Respondent: Marquet Mattox
- Criminal Charges: Wire fraud, false claims, and theft of government funds
- City and State: Lilburn, Georgia
- Exact Date: August 18, 2021 (sentencing)
- Sentence or Outcome: 19 years in prison, $3.2 million in restitution, and 3 years of supervised release
- Dollar Amounts: $165 million in claimed refunds, $5 million in paid refunds, $3.2 million in restitution
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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