Columbia, South Carolina – In a brazen attempt to steal $11 million from the Internal Revenue Service, Stephanie Lake Meyer, 46, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for Interference with the Administration of the Internal Revenue Service, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 7212.
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain on November 30, 2017, who also directed that Meyer be placed on supervised release for one year once released from prison and to pay restitution in the amount of $256,938.04.
According to court documents, Meyer devised and executed a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In this scheme, Meyer sent approximately 45 checks totaling approximately $11 million to the IRS. Each of these checks was noted by Meyer as being payment of income taxes. As the checks were received, they were credited to Meyer’s IRS account. The IRS then checked and determined that Meyer had no tax liability. There being no tax liability, the IRS refunded monies to Meyer to account for the “overage” that she had sent in.
After some $256,938.04 was sent to Meyer, the IRS discovered that all of the checks that Meyer had sent in were bogus and that she was running what is commonly known as a “phantom account balance scheme.” This is a scheme normally seen with bank accounts where an account holder deposits worthless checks to build up the balance and then draws it down before the bogus nature of the checks is discovered.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake stated that agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division had investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville Office was in charge of the prosecution.
Mandatory facts: Defendant/respondent name – Stephanie Lake Meyer, Exact criminal charges – Interference with the Administration of the Internal Revenue Service, City and state – Columbia, South Carolina, Exact date with month/day/year – November 30, 2017, Sentence or outcome – 36 months in federal prison, fine, or current status – supervised release for one year and restitution of $256,938.04, Dollar amounts where applicable – $11 million and $256,938.04.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of the Internal Revenue Service and the need for individuals to pay their fair share of taxes. The IRS works tirelessly to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with tax laws and regulations.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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