Latest news with #ChristopherDowtin
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Real check, fake story: Georgia man accused of stealing $32 million in tax refunds
The U.S. Department of Justice said a Jonesboro man with a made up story is facing real consequences after trying to get tax refunds for businesses he didn't own. According to USDOJ, Christopher Dowtin, 48, was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service on federal charges for allegedly 'fraudulently convert[ing] two businesses' IRS accounts to his name and address.' Doing so, he got a tax refund check for more than $32 million. Charging documents say Dowtin submitted fraudulent IRS forms claiming to be the responsible party for two companies. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Gov. Kemp to sign bill for $1 billion special tax refund. Here's how much you could get Attorney says new video proves her client didn't try to kidnap a child at Walmart in Acworth 'Just bring it back': Woman pleads for sick dad's classic car after it was stolen from repair shop In December, the IRS processed eight change of address or responsible party forms for Dowtin, and his requests for those changes were accepted. USDOJ said Dowtin 'ultimately received two tax refund checks for those companies: one in the amount of $32,495,888.58 and one in the amount of $26,156.50.' Then, officials accused Dowtin of traveling from Georgia to Ohio with the checks to open a bank account in the Southern District of Ohio. Just before Valentine's Day, Dowtin tried to take the checks to a Morgan Stanley office in Beavercreek, Ohio to put them into a brokerage account with a trust in his name, where USDOJ says he told a financial advisor the companies were paying him for 'illegally using his 'personhood.'' Nearly a week later, an executive director at the bank contacted the U.S. Secret Service and IRS Criminal Investigation about the suspicious nature of the checks, officials said. Members of law enforcement seized the checks. Now, Dowtin faces charges of wire fraud and theft of public money, with a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. USDOJ said he appeared in court in Atlanta on April 8. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Man brings $32 million tax refund check to Ohio; the check was real, his story was not
A man accused of stealing over $32 million in tax refunds is facing charges. Christopher Dowtin, 48, of Georgia, is accused of changing two business accounts to his name and address. He is also accused of pocketing millions of dollars in tax refunds, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio (SDOH) spokesperson. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The IRS reportedly processed eight Change of Address or Responsible party-business forms in Dec. 2024 for two companies. When the requests were completed, Dowtin received two tax refund checks for those companies, one for over $32 million and another for over $26,000, SODH said. Investigators say Dowtin traveled to Ohio and took the checks to a Morgan Stanley Office in Beavercreek where he 'attempted to negotiate the funds into a brokerage account in a trust in his name,' SODH stated. The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks, according to the Department of Justice. TRENDING STORIES: Ohio man dies during visit to the dentist's office Police surround Dayton home in connection to gun store burglary investigation Ohio college student imprisoned in Denmark released, but unable to return to US 'The affidavit details that Dowtin told the Morgan Stanley financial advisor that the two companies were paying him for illegally using his 'personhood.' He said the payments owed to him had been transferred to him from the IRS. The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks,' said SODH. Morgan Stanley contacted the Secret Service and IRS regarding both the suspicious nature of the checks and Dowtin's supporting paperwork. Law enforcement seized the checks, according to SODH. Dowtin is charged with wire fraud and theft of public money. Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
48-year-old man accused of stealing over $32 million in wire fraud facing charges
A man accused of stealing over $32 million in a wire fraud case is facing charges. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Christopher Dowtin, 48, of Georgia, is alleged of changing two business accounts to his name and address. He is also accused of pocketing millions of dollars in tax refunds, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio (SDOH) spokesperson. TRENDING STORIES: 36-year-old man arrested, victim recovering after shooting in Dayton Dayton man learns punishment for coercing minors, making child porn 'Destroy them before they hatch;' Invasive pests making return to Ohio The IRS reportedly processed eight Change of Address or Responsible party-business forms in Dec. 2024 for two companies. When the requests were completed, Dowtin received two tax refund checks for those companies, one for over $32 million and another for over $26,000, SODH said. Dowtin allegedly took the checks to a Morgan Stanley Office in Beavercreek and 'attempted to negotiate the funds into a brokerage account in a trust in his name,' SODH stated. 'The affidavit details that Dowtin told the Morgan Stanley financial advisor that the two companies were paying him for illegally using his 'personhood.' He said the payments owed to him had been transferred to him from the IRS. The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks,' said SODH. Morgan Stanley contacted the Secret Service and IRS regarding both the suspicious nature of the checks and Dowtin's supporting paperwork. Law enforcement seized the checks, according to SODH. Dowtin is charged with wire fraud and theft of public money. Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
