⏱ 2 min read
Amanda Gorham, a 34-year-old tax preparer from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for running a financial fraud scheme in Berkeley County. Gorham, who worked as a tax preparer in Martinsburg and as an insurance agent, used her clients’ identifying information to open insurance policies without their knowledge or permission. The scheme, which was investigated by the WV Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the United States Postal Service, netted Gorham $44,582.52 in commissions and bonuses.
The purpose of the scheme was to obtain financial gain by collecting commissions and a bonus on the newly opened policies. Gorham’s actions were a clear violation of her clients’ trust, and her sentence reflects the seriousness of her crimes. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney.
Gorham has been ordered to pay a money judgment of $44,582.52, the exact amount she stole from her clients. This sentence serves as a warning to others who would seek to exploit their clients for financial gain.
The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting the public from financial fraud. The WV Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the United States Postal Service worked together to bring Gorham to justice, and their efforts have resulted in a significant sentence for the defendant.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: West Virginia
- Location: WV
- Source: DOJ Press Release
