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Tallahassee Nurse Gets Six Years for Stealing from the Vulnerable
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Tangela Lawson-Brown, 41, of Midway, Florida, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced yesterday to 60 months for a cold-hearted tax fraud scheme that preyed on the elderly and disabled. The sentencing, announced by U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova for the Northern District of Florida, follows Lawson-Brown’s conviction in October 2017. She’ll serve concurrent 36-month sentences on each of two counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government funds, and one count of possessing fifteen or more access devices – all running consecutively to a 24-month sentence for identity theft.
Lawson-Brown, who worked as a nurse at a Tallahassee nursing home between October 2011 and December 2012, wasn’t just providing care; she was building a criminal enterprise. In January 2013, Tallahassee police discovered a notebook in her vehicle brimming with the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of over 150 people – a treasure trove for a fraudster. The scheme culminated in the filing of over 200 fraudulent tax returns for the 2011 and 2012 tax years, attempting to claim a staggering $1,018,121 in refunds. The IRS ultimately disbursed $141,790 before the scheme was uncovered.
The scope of Lawson-Brown’s betrayal is chilling. A full 105 of the fraudulent returns were filed using the names in the notebook, with a particularly disturbing 38 of those victims being residents at the very nursing home where she was employed. Another 42 victims were linked to nursing homes in central Florida, where Lawson-Brown’s friends and relatives worked, indicating a network of complicity. Some returns were filed a mere six days after patients were admitted, demonstrating the speed and audacity of the operation.
“This case illustrates the lengths to which criminals will prey upon the vulnerability of elderly and disabled persons,” stated U.S. Attorney Canova. “Relatives and other caregivers should be alert to unauthorized tax returns, bank accounts, credit cards, and financial transactions, and should immediately report identity theft crimes to law enforcement agencies.” The U.S. Attorney’s office pledged continued aggressive prosecution of identity theft crimes, especially those committed by individuals in positions of trust.
Federal investigators aren’t letting up on those who exploit the tax system. Shawn Batsch, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Field Office for IRS Criminal Investigation, warned, “Tax season is almost here, and today’s sentencing…is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you decide to steal from honest taxpayers.” The investigation was a collaborative effort between IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Tallahassee Police Department. Chief Michael DeLeo of the Tallahassee Police Department hailed the partnership as vital to protecting vulnerable citizens.
Lawson-Brown has been ordered to pay $141,790 in restitution to the IRS. Assistant United States Attorney Michael T. Simpson prosecuted the case. This case underscores the increasing sophistication of financial crimes targeting vulnerable populations and the dedication of federal agencies to bringing perpetrators to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida continues to be a key player in litigating federal crimes nationwide.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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