Owner Of Fake Charity With Boston Embezzlement Ties Pleads Guilty

Boston MA

17 March, 2021

11:55 AM

Description

BOSTON — The owner of a fraudulent charity in Atlanta has pleaded guilty to charges of filing false tax returns. Taressa Hightower purported to run non-profits to help underprivileged children in Atlanta, and received $650,000 from Bank of America in Boston, a document from the state attorney says. "Rather than use the funds for charitable purposes, Hightower spent the majority on personal expenses unrelated to any charity work," the release says. "For tax years 2013 and 2014, Hightower filed false personal and organizational tax returns in connection with the purported donations. Each year, Hightower reported significant amounts of non-existent and/or inflated business expenses, which ultimately lowered her personal tax liability." Palestine Ace, a former VP at Bank of America, pleaded guilty in 2018 to embezzling nearly $3 million from the bank under the guise of the donation. She admitted to running the scheme with her husband, Jonathan, who is a relative of Hightower. Palestine was sentenced to one year in prison and Jonathan was sentenced to two. Hightower faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and up to $250,000 in fines, according to the release.