Prison Sentences for Defendants in $1.8 Million Tax Fraud

PEORIA, Ill. –Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm today sentenced the fifth and final defendant to prison for a tax fraud scheme that claimed more than $1.8 million in refunds from false tax returns.  

On Oct. 30, Judge Mihm sentenced the leader of what the court described as a “remarkable conspiracy,” Clifton “Ty” Robinson, to 99 months (eight years, three months) in prison. Robinson’s sentence consists of 63 months for the fraud scheme to be followed by 36 months for aggravated identity theft charges to be served consecutive to the underlying offense.

In addition, Robinson, 44, and the four co-conspirators were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1.2 million to the IRS for refunds paid as a result of false income tax returns filed for tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014. As a result of more than 300 false returns filed, Robinson and others claimed more than $1.8 million in refunds. Of the $1.8 million claimed, approximately $1.2 million was paid by the U.S. Treasury.

Robinson, of Chicago, was convicted in May 2018, following a bench trial before Judge Mihm.   The government presented evidence at trial that established that Robinson and others were responsible for filing false federal income tax returns. While some individuals knowingly provided their identifying information for use in preparing the false returns, others had no idea how their information had been obtained. Evidence also established that some individuals sold their dependents’ information to Robinson for use on other individuals’ tax returns. Robinson used other members of the conspiracy to obtain identifying information of others and to provide “safe” addresses for the returns. Refunds from the fraudulent returns were deposited to bank accounts and prepaid debit cards controlled by members of the conspiracy.

As identified by the IRS, the majority of the returns identified in the scheme exhibited similar characteristics including false information as to income, dependents, addresses, education and occupation.

The four co-conspirators charged pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the conspiracy to defraud the government. Each was ordered to pay the full amount of restitution together and separately with their co-defendants. The defendants were sentenced to prison terms by Judge Mihm as follows:

Brieanna Kinney-Bonner, 31, of the 1900 block of S. Griswold St., Peoria, Ill., sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison;

Monique Bonner, 42, of the 1800 block of N. Manchin, Peoria, Ill., 26 months in prison;

Tawanda Davis, 37, of the 1700 block of N. New York Ave., Peoria, 22 months in prison; and,

Velma Robertson, 42, of La Grange, Ill., 16 months in prison. Bonner, Davis and Robertson were each sentenced on Sept. 4, 2018.

The charges were investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darilynn Knauss, Segev Phillips, and Kate Legge represented the government in the prosecution.