A Cleveland man was sentenced to three years in prison for fraudulently claiming nearly $140,000 in tax refunds, said Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and Kathy Enstrom, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.
Gerald D. Dotson, 45, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making false claims.
Dotson filed a series of false tax returns during 2011, 2012 and 2013 claiming falsified wage income and tax credit information for individuals resulting in at least $139,675 in fraudulent refunds.
"As the tax-filing deadline approaches, this sentence should serve as a reminder that all of us are obligated to pay our fair share and not defraud the government," Rendon said.
“The nation’s tax system should not be seen as a free standing ATM for criminals to ransack at will for personal enrichment,” Enstrom said. “Honest taxpayers are the real victims with these schemes and IRS-CI will ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
Dotson was ordered to pay $139,675 in restitution.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Kendra Klump following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.