NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Dana Morris, 42, of Williamsburg, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for stealing over $558,595.26 from her former employer, an elderly resident of Williamsburg.
Morris pleaded guilty on July 14, 2016. According to court documents, Morris pleaded guilty to engaging in a monetary transaction involving proceeds of unlawful activity and tax evasion. Through her work as a housekeeper and a personal assistant, Morris gained access to the victim’s home and personal effects. Between 2012 and 2014, Morris altered and completely forged 117 checks drawn on her employer’s personal checking account. Morris deposited all of these checks into her personal checking account and spent all of the stolen money on, among other things, rent, jewelry, and over $445,000 in retail and entertainment items. In March 2014, Morris and another individual signed a promissory note to purchase a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Limited for $27,000.00. On the day the payment was due, Morris stole and forged three checks drawn on her employer’s checking account, each in the amount of $7,500.00. Morris used the stolen funds to pay the balance of the new vehicle in full. During the period in which she stole from her elderly employer, Morris failed to report the majority of the stolen money on her federal income taxes. In her 2012 tax return, Morris falsely underreported her income. Morris then evaded the assessment of personal income tax in 2013 and 2014 by failing to file tax returns and filing extensions in which she falsely stated she would owe no tax for each year. In total, Morris evaded the assessment and payment of income tax totaling $172,497.00.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Thomas Holloman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick and Kaitlin C. Gratton prosecuted the case. This case was adopted for prosecution through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Financial Crimes Task Force.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-4.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
