Maryland Man Sentenced In DC Tax Fraud Scheme

Richard Walters, 49, of Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced yesterday to 51 months in prison for his involvement in a tax refund scheme which defrauded the District of Columbia of $48 million. Walters was found guilty of receipt of stolen property and conspiracy to commit money laundering and ordered to forfeit a "home in the Virgin Islands, two homes in Bowie, Maryland, a 2005 Bentley, four other vehicles, jewelry and monies held in several bank accounts." According to court records, between 2001 and 2007, Walters conspired with his sister, Harriette M. Walters, right, a former manager within the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue in order to deposit 15 fraudulent tax refund checks made out to "Helmet's Plumbing," a business owned and controlled by Richard Walters, totalling nearly $5 million. Harriette Walters, 52, was the linchpin in the overall scheme who separately pleaded guilty in September for wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. She faces 20 years in prison, plus restitution of more than $48 million.

Eight other individuals have plead guilty in this case or a related case filed in Maryland, including: Alethia O. Grooms, 52, of Clinton, Maryland; Samuel Earl Pope, 61, of Washington, D.C. ; Patricia A. Steven, 73, of Harwood, Maryland; Robert Steven, 55, of Edgewater, Maryland; Connie Alexander, 52, of Bowie, Maryland; Walter Jones, 33, of Essex, Maryland; Marilyn Yoon, 40, of Derwood, Maryland; and Ricardo R. Walters, 33, of Ft. Washington, Maryland. The embezzlement went on for nearly 20 years, according to court records.

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