Sean David Morton, Tax Evasion, California 2024

Sean David Morton and Melissa Ann Morton LOS ANGELES – A Hermosa Beach man was sentenced to six years in federal prison for filing fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service that sought millions of dollars in refunds and using bogus financial instruments in an attempt to pay off debt. His wife was also sentenced to two years in federal prison.

Sean David Morton, 59, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson, who further ordered Morton to pay $480,322 in restitution to the IRS.

Sean Morton’s sentencing follows a four-day trial in April in which he was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, two counts of filing false claims against the United States, and 26 counts of passing false or fictitious financial instruments. Sean Morton was originally scheduled to be sentenced in June, but he failed to appear for that hearing and was a fugitive for over two months.

Melissa Ann Morton, 51, also of Hermosa Beach, who was convicted of conspiracy, two counts filing false claims and 25 counts of passing false or fictitious financial instruments, was also ordered to pay $480,322 in restitution to the IRS.

The Mortons operated a “redemption” scheme, which is the most common scheme used across the nation by tax defiers and “sovereign citizens.” Proponents of this scheme falsely claim that the United States government controls bank accounts – often referred to as “U.S. Treasury Direct Accounts” – for U.S. citizens that can be accessed by submitting paperwork with state and federal authorities. Individuals promoting this scam frequently cite bogus legal theories and may refer to the scheme as “Redemption” or “Strawman.” This scheme, which repeatedly has been rejected by courts, predominately uses fraudulent financial documents that appear to be legitimate.

“This is a case where the defendants clearly engaged in a systematic effort to impede the tax system, undermine the efforts of prosecutors, and, in the case of Sean Morton, avoid sentencing after being convicted by a jury of his peers,” said Acting United States Attorney Sandra R. Brown. “This case sends a clear message that we will spare no effort to preserve the integrity of this nation’s institutions. The lengthy sentences also demonstrate that illegal efforts to use bogus legal theories in an effort to defraud fellow taxpayers will not be tolerated.”

“The Mortons’ blatant disrespect for the law will now cost them years of valuable freedom,” stated IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe. “Today’s sentencing shows how seriously the courts take those individuals who attempt to lead others down a perilous financial and legal path, in addition to devising illegal tax schemes to obtain refunds to which they are not entitled.”

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