Hansen’s payment for signing the first false contract was made through a series of interstate wire transfers into an account he set up in the name of a consulting company. It is alleged that Hansen knew the money he was paid came from investors that DC Solar was defrauding.
Hansen later took a job at DC Solar with a substantial pay increase. During his time as a DC Solar executive, Hansen and a co-conspirator continued the fraud using false contracts and fake names.
The Carpoffs pleaded guilty to engineering the fraud conspiracy in January 2020. The coronavirus has delayed their formal sentencing.
Jeff Carpoff faces up to 30 years and his wife Pauline could be sentenced to up to 15 years. As part of their plea agreements, the Carpoffs are ordered to make restitution to their victims, totaling between $800 million and $1.6 billion.
In January 2019, U.S. Attorney Scott claimed that the investigation had resulted in the largest criminal forfeiture in the history of the District. Over $120 million in assets were forfeited to be returned to victims. $500 million was returned to the United States Treasury, with more funds expected.
What to know about DC Solar investigation
For 8 years, beginning in 2011, the Carpoffs and their co-conspirators took advantage of the favorable federal tax benefits associated with alternative energy investments.
