Prison Inmate Sentenced on Multiple Counts of Tax Fraud

FOND DU LAC -Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that Wendy Nelsen, a Taycheedah prison inmate, has been sentenced on six counts of tax fraud in Fond Du Lac County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Peter L. Grimm. Nelsen was previously convicted of six counts of homestead credit tax fraud as a habitual criminal on June 3, 2010.

Judge Grimm sentenced Nelsen to a term of 6 years in prison followed by 6 years of extended supervision. The sentence is to begin after Nelsen's current sentence elapses in 2012.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice's criminal complaint, Nelsen submitted numerous fraudulent tax credit claims for herself and other inmates. In each instance, Nelsen claimed that she and other inmates were living in private residential rental properties for periods of time when they were all incarcerated. Nelsen engaged in this conduct from February of 2007 through March of 2009. Nelsen obtained several thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds as a result.

Van Hollen said, “Tax fraud is a serious crime because it is a theft of taxpayer funds. This is particularly aggravating at a time when our State, like many others, is experiencing financial distress. When such crimes are detected, my office will prosecute and seek appropriate punishment.”

This matter was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and the Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Eric D. Défort represents the State of Wisconsin in this prosecution as Special Prosecutor for both Dane County and Fond Du Lac County.