On September 24, 2018, in the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville resident Charles Burnett appeared in court and was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit theft of Government money and aggravated identity theft. An Information was initially filed on September 10, 2018, charging Burnett with the offenses.

According to the court documents, from about June 2014 through May 2017, Burnett and at least five other individuals knowingly and willfully conspired to steal Federal income tax refunds and convert the money to their own use.

As part of the conspiracy, it is alleged that one conspirator stole the income tax refunds, and Burnett and two other coconspirators met with this person to receive the stolen refunds. In furtherance of the offense, Burnett directed his coconspirators to open up bank accounts and create shell entities to deposit the stolen funds. Burnett and others then deposited the stolen refunds into the accounts.

For example, in March 2016, Burnett incorporated CB Entertainment and Marketing, LLC with the State of Tennessee. He subsequently opened a business bank account for CB Entertainment and Marketing, LLC and then deposited a stolen Federal income tax refund issued in the name of another into the business account. In doing so, Burnett possessed and used the personal identification information of the individual named on the refund without lawful authority.

If Burnett is convicted, the Government will seek forfeiture of any property he derived from the offenses, including a money judgment in the amount of $252,346.44. A jury trial has been scheduled for November 27, 2018.

Source:  The facts in this case narrative come from the following publicly available documents: M.D. Tenn. Information filed Sep. 10, 2018; M.D. Tenn. Executed Summons filed Sep. 27, 2018; M.D. Tenn. Crim. Docket as of Oct. 5, 2018.