Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Money Laundering

Defendant participated in fraudulent tax return scheme using University of Iowa employees’ personal information

DAVENPORT, IA- On Friday, March 5, 2021, Edoghogho Collins Oloton, age 33, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 24 months in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a scheme to obtain federal tax refunds by fraud using the identification information of dozens of University of Iowa employees announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Oloton was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Oloton worked with others to launder dozens of money orders purchased with the proceeds of the fraudulently obtained tax refunds. More than $60,000 from tax refunds of University of Iowa employees was obtained fraudulently through this scheme. More than $1,400,000 in fraudulently obtained funds passed through bank accounts associated with the scheme in February, March, and April of 2015. In April of 2015, Oloton purchased a 2014 Mercedes Benz, E-class, convertible with the proceeds of the fraud.

“Today’s sentencing reflects how seriously the courts take federal tax crimes. Mr. Oloton was knowledgeable of the Stolen Identity – Refund Fraud Scheme and illegally obtained the proceeds of the fraud for his own benefit. The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation will continue to aggressively pursue others who engage in this conduct,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge David Talcott.