Two metro Atlanta men were sentenced Tuesday — the eve of Tax Day — for their roles in a refund fraud scheme that netted them nearly $1 million.
Obi Emelogu, 51, of Woodstock, and Oloh Samuel, 33, of Acworth, were both sentenced in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. According to information released by the office of acting U.S. Attorney John Horn, Emelogu owned and operated a Marietta tax preparation business named O.B. Consulting and Tax Services LLC.
“In 2012, Emelogu filed hundreds of false tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds that were directed into his bank account,” the news release said. “Emelogu also filed false tax returns that were deposited into a bank account Samuel controlled.”
Authorities said evidence showed false returns were also filed from overseas, with the refunds deposited into Samuel’s account. Many of the tax refunds were filed for using stolen names and social security numbers, officials said.
Emelogu was sentenced to three years, nine months in prison and ordered to pay just shy of $720,000 in restitution, officials said. Samuel was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay about $146,000 in restitution. Both men entered guilty pleas last year.
“These defendants brazenly stole money from the American taxpayers with little regard for whom they affect,” Horn said in the news release. “We have committed resources to combat this kind of theft, and will aggressively pursue and prosecute those who believe they can file false tax returns.”
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