A former tax return preparer from Macon, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to a string of felonies involving stolen identity refund fraud.
Willie C. Grant, a former owner and operator of Grant Income Tax Bookkeeping and Check Cash (GIT), pleaded guilty to filing a false claim for tax refund, theft of government money, and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, Grant used the names and Social Security numbers of his former clients to file false federal income returns without their knowledge. He claimed false tax refunds and directed the IRS to deposit the funds into his personal or business bank accounts.
The scheme, which ran from 2003 to 2008, allowed Grant to spend the proceeds on personal items, including expensive cars and living expenses.
Grant’s business, GIT, was closed in 2009. The tax preparer admitted to abusing his position of trust as a professional paid tax preparer in committing the crimes.
Grant faces a potential maximum sentence of 17 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. The sentencing date has been set for October 30, 2012.
The case was investigated by special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Charles M. Edgar, Jr. and Justin K. Gelfand of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Defendant: Willie C. Grant
Criminal Charges: Filing a false claim for tax refund, theft of government money, and aggravated identity theft
City and State: Macon, Georgia
Date: Not specified
Sentence: Potential maximum sentence of 17 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000
Dollar Amounts: None mentioned
Related Federal Cases
- Willie C. Grant, Aggravated Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud, Georgia 2008 · Washington
- Sidney L. Hall, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Georgia 2012 · Georgia
- Kimberly Michelle Banks, Identity Theft Tax Fraud, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Wytrenia Reynolds, Identity Theft, Georgia 2014 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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