September 17, 2003

Memphis Woman Sentenced in Tax and Social Security Fraud Investigation

Memphis, TN - Terrell L. Harris, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced that Carol Lynn Robinson was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Samuel H. Mays, Jr., to serve 18 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,684.00.

Robinson was initially charged in two separate indictments, both filed on May 21, 2002. One indictment charged Robinson with nine counts of filing false claims against the government and the other charged her with three counts of fraudulent using the social security number of another under false pretenses.

In January 2003, a Memphis jury found Robinson guilty on all three counts pertaining to the fraudulent use of another's social security number. According to the indictment, Robinson used the same social security number three separate times in order to obtain employment between November 2, 1997, and January 4, 1998.

A federal jury found Robinson guilty in Memphis on April 10, 2003, of eight counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of filing false claims against the government. Count 9 of the indictment was dismissed just prior to the commencement of the trial. According to trial testimony, Robinson prepared or cause to be prepared eight 1997 federal income tax returns that were filed with the Internal Revenue Service between January 30, 1998, and February 26, 1998. The tax returns were filed in the names of different individuals and claimed refunds ranging from $3,110 to $5,149. A total of approximately $35,000 was claimed in false refunds on the filed tax returns.

This investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivian R. Donelson prosecuted the cases for the government.