One of my greatest joys of being a writer is the interesting people I meet along the way. One such person is aspiring author Diana Bahr. Based on her background, her smarts, and her tenacity, I don’t think “aspiring” will be affixed to her title very long. Please welcome Diana Bahr to Help from my Friends Friday, and thanks, Diana, for this fabulous article. ~ Donnell
How the IRS Helped Me
By Diana Bahr
Journalist and Author Diana Bahr
I know many readers out there are probably thinking, “Are you kidding me? The IRS is not in the business of helping anyone!”
In 2009 I began working for the IRS’s Internal Communications section in Washington, DC. My previous jobs in public affairs were journalistic in nature – writing feature stories mainly with sports or an occasional travel article thrown in – but this job was dull. Mind-numbingly dull. New to the organization, I was unaware of the more titillating options available to me.
Then, at a meeting, I overheard someone mention, “Oh her! She ran the website for criminal investigation. I don’t know where she is now.” What? Who? Criminal Investigation??
Yes. IRS Criminal Investigation. Accountants with guns (apologies to those special agents who dislike that phrase!) who have brought down the likes of Al Capone, Leona Helmsley, Bernie Madoff, and so on. It’s a side of the IRS most people are unaware of but should embrace.
On Dec. 31, 2012, I walked into the door of IRS Criminal Investigation for a six-month detail, which led to almost seven years with the unit. During my years with Criminal Investigation, I learned about Identity Theft, Mortgage Fraud, Money Laundering, tax evasion and more. More importantly, I read about and researched the criminals who perpetrated these crimes and the victims. These research skills have opened a door to numerous plots, subplots, motives and characters just waiting for me to put down on paper.
One of the very first cases that came through the office was the self-proclaimed “Queen of Tax Fraud” Rashia Wilson. This young woman, who had a 7th grade education, stole identities from hospital patients where she worked. Rashia’s downfall came after taunting the IRS, FBI and other agencies on Facebook. She posted a photo of her holding wads of money, saying, “I’m Rashia, the queen of IRS tax fraud, … I’m a millionaire for the record. So if you think that indicting me will be easy, it won’t. I promise you. I won’t do no time, dumb b——.” Rashia was sentenced to 21 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of more than $2 million. Her boyfriend and co-conspirator, Maurice Larry, was sentenced to 14 years.
While others were reading about Rashia Wilson’s exploits, I wanted to know how the investigation took place. I spoke with a special agent from the Tampa Field Office about the case and it was like reading a novel that ended with the perpetrator being arrested as she walked out of the hospital with photocopies of medical records crammed into her purse.
One of my favorite cases is that of a woman from a small town in
Wisconsin. My husband is from Wisconsin. I knew the town. I knew the church involved. Her crime? Stealing money from collection plates. Over roughly a ten-year period. she stole close to a million dollars. But I knew more than what the public read in the papers. I knew she was ratted out by a bank teller. I knew the church asked the special agents to delay her arrest until after the Sunday service so they could tell the parishioners before it hit the news. I knew how she committed the crime. Why did she steal from a church? She was addicted to gambling.
Other cases contained criminals who could be straight from a movie/tv show to include a group of tax evaders who had a notebook with “SECRET” written on it that contained the names and amounts of clients who paid cash under the table for services. Another case, possibly of “no honor among thieves,” saw one suspect shot after agreeing to cooperate with law enforcement. Finally, this one could be a Midsomer Murders, the victim is missing for almost a year, but no one is concerned. When it’s discovered who the murderer is…the town rallied around the culprit, with one person saying, “I don’t care if Mrs. XX was the richest lady in town. She was so mean that even if XX did kill her, you won’t be able to find anyone in town who’s going to convict him for murder.”
While I may no longer have access to some insider information, I still use the same research skillset for plots and characters. I read newspapers, US Attorney press releases, Google and use *PACER. I’m always looking for new avenues of information and read Bob Mueller’s recent post https://www.donnellannbell.com/using-genealogy-to-develop-characters/ about using genealogy for characters and will add that to my list!
I’m now working on my first mystery, most likely a “cozy” police procedural, and if the house ever quits needing work, I may finish my rough draft this year!
*PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is a veritable treasure trove of documents. There is no fee to register for a PACER account. PACER charges 10 cents per page, but there is no charge for accessing up to $30 in charges per quarter (January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December). Charges apply after users accrue more than $30 each quarterly billing cycle.
About the Author: Diana Bahr’s Diana’s interest in mysteries started in elementary school when she discovered a cache of old (late 1930s) Nancy Drew books in her sister’s bedroom. From there it was on to Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Martha Grimes, and more. It wasn’t until she was in her late 20s when the thought of trying her hand at writing occurred. But like so many aspiring authors, life got in the way and Diana’s journalism degree limited her writing to newspaper and newsletter articles, along with lengthy letters to friends and family.
Retirement has brought back the urge to write and she’s been working on a “cozy police-procedural” for several years. If the house stops needing repair, she may finish it this year!
Diana, personally, I love this blog. I can’t even imagine all the knowledge inside your head 😉
Great post. I once did a great interview with a top FBI agent who was a CPA.
Fascinating! And good information for my Mystery Question blog! I can’t wait to see Diana Bahr published!
Me, too, Patricia. She’ll be an auto-buy 😉
Diana,
Your post is truly interesting and informative. I must admit, I and other writers may well steal parts of your material for stories that will fuel our imagination.