Bloomfield Man Arrested for Fraudulent Tax Filing
Suspicious clerks prevent theft of $9,000 in state taxes
This release was issued jointly with the Office of Revenue Services
September 4, 2015
Commissioner of Revenue Services Kevin B. Sullivan and Commissioner of Banking Jorge Perez commended the actions of clerks at two Hartford check cashing stores who prevented a Bloomfield man from cashing a fraudulent income tax refund check for $9,070.
Department of Revenue Service (DRS) agents arrested Brandon Lynus Robinson, 29, of Bloomfield at his home on August 20 on one count of criminal attempt to commit larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community.
On April 17, a clerk at the Connecticut State Check Cashing Service on Main Street in Hartford was suspicious about the $9,000 Connecticut income tax refund check presented by Robinson. The clerk contacted DRS, which determined the refund was issued based on a fraudulent income tax return.
Robinson was able to retrieve the check and fled the store.
On April 24, Robinson attempted to cash the check at the Connecticut State Check Cashing Service on New Britain Avenue. The clerk seized the check and it was delivered to the Special Investigation Section at DRS. An agent applied for an arrest warrant through the Hartford Superior Court.
Said Commissioner Sullivan, “Too often in our fast-paced society, folks just don’t want to get involved. No one questions the information on checks, debit cards or credit cards. Everyone is in a hurry and customers get impatient. We are so grateful to these two store employees for really stepping up. Their action stopped a crime against the business, the taxpayer whose refund was stolen and all taxpayers who would pay for that loss and the costs of correcting a $9,000 loss.”
“I commend these individuals for being vigilant and helping to stop a fraud from taking place,” said Commissioner Perez. “Their actions set an example of following the proper state and federal procedures. Check cashers, as with all financial service employees, are trained to recognize suspicious activity. These businesses provide an important service to their communities and help protect the integrity of the financial services industry.”
After his arrest, Robinson was release on $10,000 bond. He is due to appear in Hartford Superior Court on September 15, 2015.
Criminal attempt to commit larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community is a Class B Felony. If convicted, Robinson could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.