COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The last remaining defendant in a pandemic-related tax fraud case pled guilty and now faces up to 30 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney of Middle Georgia announced Thursday.
Christopher Upshaw, aka “Troub,” 26, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud on Feb. 4, and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Upshaw registered DOPE! Apparel, LLC, with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office on June 26, 2022. Upshaw filed five fake returns on April 29, 2023, using this business to claim a COVID-related tax credit. As a result of these falsified returns, the IRS issued five refunds to Upshaw’s business totaling $411,112.21…