A shocking case of identity theft and tax fraud has come to light in Alabama, with a local tax preparer being sentenced to 60 months in prison for her crimes.
Sharon Thurman, a resident of Elmore, Alabama, was convicted of 14 counts of making false claims, two counts of theft of government money, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The conviction came after a four-day trial in February 2008.
Thurman owned and operated Sharon’s Tax Service in Elmore, where she filed 14 fraudulent tax returns between January and April 2008. The returns were filed using the identities of unsuspecting individuals, with Thurman attempting to obtain tax refunds intended for them.
14 victims of identity theft testified against Thurman, stating that they did not file and did not request her to file the tax returns in their names and Social Security numbers. Two victims even testified that they never received any money from Thurman, despite the fact that she received payment from the IRS in their names.
The evidence presented during the trial revealed that all 14 victims had never met Thurman and had never been to Sharon’s Tax Service. The shocking nature of the case has left many in the community reeling.
U.S. District Judge W. Harold Albritton III handed down the sentence, ordering Thurman to serve 60 months in prison. She will also serve three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation special agents, with Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco and U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Leura G. Canary commending their efforts. Tax Division Trial Attorneys Justin Gelfand and Michael Boteler, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Morris, prosecuted the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Edna Yvonne Orr Goff, Conspiracy to File False Federal Tax Returns and Aggravated Identity Theft, Georgia 2014 · Georgia
- John Irving Wheeler, Identity Theft and State Income Tax Fraud, Alabama 2013 · Michigan
- Angeline Austin, Identity Theft and Tax Fraud, Alabama 2011 · Texas
- Kenneth Jerome Blackmon Jr., Aggravated Identity Theft and Access Device Fraud, Alabama 2013 · Texas
- Mary Bennett, Identity Theft, Alabama 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime