Bloomington Woman Sentenced for Financial Exploitation and Tax Fraud

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Dec. 29 -- The Illinois Department of Revenue issued the following news release:

Earlier today, Patricia Popejoy was sentenced to 180 days in the McLean County jail, 48 months of probation including home confinement until 1/1/14, 300 hours of community service and ordered to pay $491,380 in restitution to the State of Illinois. She must also file amended tax returns and pay the additional taxes she owes for 2005-2008. Popejoy pleaded guilty in the McLean County Circuit Court in July to financial exploitation of a disabled person - a Class 1 Felony; and to tax fraud on her 2008 Illinois income tax return - a Class 4 Felony.

"While tax fraud is always a serious matter, when criminals exploit disabled people and then lie about it on their tax returns, a severe sentence like this is more than appropriate," said Brian Hamer, Director of Revenue. "This case should serve as a signal to Illinois citizens that tax fraud will not be tolerated."

Popejoy's guilty plea came after a grand jury indicted her of seven felony counts in August, 2010 related to the care of her brother, a person with disabilities and the management of his finances after he received an insurance settlement for more than $2 million. In addition to the counts to which Popejoy pleaded guilty, she was also charged with additional crimes of criminal neglect of a disabled person, theft, and fraudulent tax returns for 2005-7, alleging she willfully understated her income on her Illinois tax return. Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office handled the prosecution for the state.

"This defendant exploited a vulnerable person with disabilities and defrauded the taxpayers. My office worked in partnership with the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois State Police to investigate and prosecute her for this criminal conduct," said Attorney General Madigan. "As a result of this prosecution and today's sentence, she will pay for her crimes."

Today's sentencing follows a hearing in November where Attorney General Madigan's office - on behalf of the Department of Revenue'sBureau of Criminal Investigation and the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau - presented evidence related to the required amount of restitution.

TNS PA-PA 111231-3729997 61PoojaAnand