Ramon Christopher Blanchett, Theft of Government Funds, Florida 2017

Tampa Man Sentenced to 34 Months for Tax Scam

Tampa, Florida - In a brazen case of tax fraud, Ramon Christopher Blanchett has been sentenced to 34 months in federal prison for theft of government funds. The court also ordered Blanchett to forfeit $980,000, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense.

According to court documents, Blanchett had pleaded guilty on October 1, 2019. He had filed false and fraudulent tax returns for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018, claiming refunds of $1 million, $26,477, and $465,734, respectively.

The investigation revealed that Blanchett had attached false and fraudulent Forms W-2 to his returns, claiming inflated wage amounts and tax withheld. He had also deposited the $980,000 refund check into an account at SunTrust Bank, which was later closed and held for the IRS.

Blanchett had attempted to conceal the funds by opening a new account at Grow Financial Credit Union, where he told bank officials that the funds represented an inheritance from his father's estate. However, the funds were ultimately seized by federal authorities in August 2018.

Blanchett's scheme was uncovered after he voluntarily appeared at the IRS office in Tampa for a routine appointment, where he was alerted to the investigation. Despite this, he continued to file false tax returns, including a third return in February 2019 for the 2018 tax year.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke.

Defendant: Ramon Christopher Blanchett

Criminal Charges: Theft of Government Funds

City and State: Tampa, Florida

Date: February 21, 2017 (crime date)

Sentence: 34 months in federal prison

Forfeiture: $980,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/false-tax-return-filer-sentenced-34-months-prison