THOMASTON, GA – Edna Yvonne Orr Goff, 37, of Thomaston, Georgia, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to thirty-six (36) months imprisonment for a brazen scheme to defraud the United States government. The sentence was handed down January 7, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell.
Goff, along with accomplice Michelle Blankenship, was indicted on February 15, 2013, on charges of conspiracy to file false federal tax returns and aggravated identity theft. The pair systematically stole taxpayer identity information and used it to file fraudulent returns with the Internal Revenue Service, raking in illicit gains at the expense of honest Americans.
The scheme wasn’t small-time. Federal investigators determined the total loss to the government exceeded $200,000.00. Blankenship, who pleaded guilty on June 4, 2013, already received eight (8) years in prison and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $224,136.00 to the IRS. Goff was ordered to pay $15,000.00 in restitution.
“Filing false tax returns and identity theft causes a rippling effect of loss to all law abiding citizens,” stated United States Attorney Michael J. Moore. “Those committing these and other crimes will remain a focus of the Department of Justice.” This isn’t just about money; it’s about the erosion of trust in the system, and the burden placed on those who play by the rules.
Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, didn’t mince words. “These unscrupulous defendants thought they had figured out a clever scheme for obtaining money from the government,” she said. “As the defendants in this case have learned, stealing from the American people will not be tolerated and you will be held accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Charles L. Calhoun prosecuted the case. Anyone with information regarding similar fraudulent activity is encouraged to contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603 and speak with Public Information Officer Pamela Lightsey.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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