A Tax Preparer and Insurance Agent Sentenced to Prison for Financial Fraud

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A tax preparer in Berkeley County, West Virginia, was sentenced for fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

Amanda Gorham, 34, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for wire fraud. Gorham was a tax preparer at a business in Martinsburg and was simultaneously working as an insurance agent at another company. Gorham used the identifying information of those who filed their taxes with her company to open insurance policies without their knowledge of permission. The purpose of this scheme was to obtain financial gain by collecting commissions and a bonus on the newly opened policies in the amount of $44,582.52.

Gorham was ordered to pay a money judgement in amount of $44,582.52.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The matter was investigated by the WV Office of the Insurance Commissioner Office of Inspector General Special Investigative Division and the United States Postal Service.

U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.