Ten Individuals Sentenced In Stolen Identity Tax Refund Scheme

GREENVILLE, Tenn. – Ten individuals indicted in February 2015 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft of public money and money laundering conspiracy, have all been convicted and sentenced.

Eugene Carl Kotelman, 39, of Burtchville, Mich. was sentenced on Oct. 22, 2015, to serve 55 months in federal prison to run consecutively with any state sentence.  Upon his release from prison, he will serve a term of three years supervised release. 

Jamie Marie Lowery, 38, of Port Huron, Mich., was sentenced on Oct 10, 2015, to serve 27 months in federal prison to run consecutively with any state sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will serve a term of three years supervised release. 

Brian Keith Elliott, 49, of Greeneville, Tenn., was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2015, to serve 27 months in federal prison consecutively to any state sentence.  Upon his release from prison, he will serve a term of three years supervised release. 

Bernard Erwin Goewey, 47, of Afton, Tenn., was sentenced on Aug 11, 2015, to serve three years of probation. 

Michelle Goewey, 44, of Afton, Tenn., was sentenced on Aug. 11, 2015, to serve a total of six months in prison, followed by a term of six month home detention.  Upon her release from prison, she will serve three years of supervised release.

Timothy Ray Groh, 46, of Port Huron, Mich., was sentenced on Oct. 6, 2015, to serve to serve 27 months in federal prison.  Upon his release from prison, he will serve a term of three years supervised release.   

Jake Marshall McKelvey, 53, of Atlanta, Mich., was sentenced on Oct. 8. 2015, to serve 27 months in prison to run consecutive with any sentence received in state court.  Upon his release from prison, he will serve three years supervised release. 

Gerald Kenneth Orshal, III, 56, of Crystal River, Fla., was sentenced on Nov. 19, 2015, to serve 12 months in prison.  Upon his release from prison, he will serve three years on supervised release.

Amy Rose Peters Thompson, 33, Port Huron, Mich., was sentenced on Nov. 19, 2015, to serve 15 months in federal prison.  Upon her release from prison, she will serve three years of supervised release.

Terri Lynn Worley, 52, of Port Huron, Mich., was sentenced on Oct. 6, 2015, to serve 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release upon her release from prison. 

Each defendant was ordered to pay restitution to the United States in the amount of $1,249,934.00, which they owe jointly and severally.  Each defendant was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.

Between January 2008 and December 2012, these individuals conspired to obtain money from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by submitting fraudulent federal income tax returns that claimed false federal income tax refunds.  As part of the scheme, they submitted, or caused to be submitted, a total of 150 federal income tax returns claiming false tax refunds of $1.2 million.  The false returns were filed using stolen Personal Identification Information (PII) of others which was used without the individual’s authorization.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute these types of offenders.  Collectively, these 10 individuals will serve 220 months in federal prison.  This sends a message to others who may consider committing identity theft and tax fraud against innocent taxpayers that they are facing serious penalties for their actions.”

“Individuals who commit identity theft and refund fraud of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Tamera Cantu, Acting Special Agent in Charge.  “These individuals demonstrated a blatant disregard for the integrity of the United States tax system and caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims. IRS Criminal Investigation remains committed to the pursuit of identity theft, and together with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will hold those who engage in similar conduct accountable.”

The case was investigated by Special Agents with the IRS–Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Smith represents the United States.

###