Ringleader of $50 million theft from DC tax office sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison

DC tax fraud ringleader gets 17 years in prison

WASHINGTON — A former Washington, D.C., employee has been sentenced to 17½ years in prison for leading a scheme that stole nearly $50 million from the city using fraudulent property tax refund checks.

Former D.C. tax office manager Harriette Walters pleaded guilty in September to wire fraud, money laundering and other charges and has been jailed since her arrest in 2007. The plea agreement called for 15 to 18 years in prison.

Walters could have received a maximum of 30 years at trial.

She was sentenced Tuesday in federal court and ordered to pay about $64 million in restitution.

Walters’ attorney had argued that his client considered herself a “benefactor” because she gave money to others. Prosecutors say her theft hampered city services during lean years.