Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Estella D. (Washington) Wright and her husband, Dorian D. Wright, to 4 years, 3 months’ and 15 months’ imprisonment, respectively. The sentences were handed down in connection with the couple’s involvement in a tax refund scheme and Estella Wright’s conviction on seven counts of aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered the couple to pay restitution in the amount of $210,737.97, to the Internal Revenue Service, and $1,500.00 to a victim of the identity theft. The couple resides in Brunswick, Georgia.
Both pleaded guilty to the charges on June 26, 2013.
According to court documents, from at least September 2007 through 2008, Estella Wright stole the means of identification from individuals through her employment at a temporary staffing agency. Wright then provided these means of identification to her co-conspirators to fraudulently file tax returns and obtain income tax refunds. The fraudulently filed tax returns caused a total of $816,384.00 to be directly deposited into bank accounts held in either Estella Wright’s or Dorian Wright’s name.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
