Ewa Beach couple sentenced in nationwide tax fraud scheme

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Ewa Beach couple is heading to federal prison in connection with a nationwide tax refund fraud scheme.

Read more ‘Take One, Leave One’: How Hawaii’s New Trinket Boxes Are Spreading Aloha and Reducing Waste

Beverly Braumuller-Hawver was sentenced to two years, while her husband, Scott Hawver, received 16 months. The couple must also pay $182,438.27 in restitution.

Prosecutors say the pair used fake tax documents to trick the IRS into issuing them a $192,845 refund they were not entitled to.

They then moved much of the money into another account and used some of it to buy gold and silver coins.

Evidence during the trial showed the couple paid someone to fabricate tax paperwork between February 2015 and November 2018.

Read more Covering the Cost: The cost of shipping, Jones Act in Hawaii

The Justice Department says the Hawvers are among more than 200 defendants involved in the same scheme across 19 states.

Rosemarie Lastimado-Dradi was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2022 for her role in organizing the scheme for Hawaii residents.

Other Hawaii residents sentenced in the scheme include Elvah Miranda, Marciaminajuanequita Dumlao, Daniel Miranda, Brigida Chock, and Lazerrick Lawrence.

Read more Gov. Green warns Hurricane Lowell damage on Kauai will exceed $400M