Ronald Chisholm, Tax Fraud, Conspiracy, Mail Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Virginia 2013

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Table of Contents

Norfolk Man Faces 128 Years for Massive Tax Fraud Scheme

A federal jury in Norfolk, Virginia, has convicted 53-year-old Ronald Chisholm of conspiracy, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud the IRS. Chisholm’s scheme, which was discovered in 2013, involved stealing the personal identifying information of numerous people and filing at least 810 fraudulent income tax returns.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Chisholm’s scheme was uncovered after a local check cashing business noticed one of its employees had cashed over $2 million in U.S. Treasury checks. The employee identified Chisholm as the person who paid her $200 per check to cash the treasury checks in violation of the company’s policies.

A subsequent IRS investigation determined that Chisholm, along with unidentified co-conspirators, stole the personal identifying information of numerous people and filed at least 810 fraudulent income tax returns. As a result of these false returns, Chisholm and his co-conspirators received a total of $2.6 million in fraudulent income tax refunds.

Chisholm faces a maximum penalty of 128 years in prison when sentenced on November 9, 2015. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente and Thomas J. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, made the announcement after the verdicts were accepted by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Kosky is prosecuting the case.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of identity theft and the importance of protecting one’s personal identifying information. As the government continues to crack down on tax fraud and identity theft, it is essential that individuals remain vigilant and take steps to safeguard their personal information.

Chisholm’s sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2015, and he faces a maximum penalty of 128 years in prison. The case is a significant victory for the government and highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes.