For Presenting a False Claim to the Government and Theft Of Government Money
HAMMOND- Airrion Blake, 41, of Lasing, Illinois was convicted of one count of submitting a false claim upon the federal government and one count of theft of government money, after a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Blake stole $149,358.35 from the federal government. According to the evidence presented to the jury, Blake filed a false trusts and estates tax return in October 2012 in which he provided fictitious figures for his income, deductions, and tax withholdings, and falsely claimed a refund of $149,358.35. He received a refund based on his filing, deposited the check at a Munster, Indiana bank, and proceeded to spend the funds.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra McTague and Nathaniel Whalen.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
