Alicia Washington, a 41-year-old Tangipahoa Parish woman, has pleaded guilty to her role in a scheme to file federal tax returns using stolen identities.
According to court documents, from 2008 through 2016, Washington and others obtained electronic filing identification numbers (EFINs) in the names of several tax return preparation businesses and used them to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
To prepare these returns, Washington used stolen IDs belonging to individuals who had been arrested or jailed. Washington and others in the scheme directed the IRS to issue refunds in the form of checks and prepaid debit cards, which were then negotiated by co-conspirators working as check cashers.
The scheme resulted in significant financial losses for the IRS, with the exact amount of losses still unknown. Washington’s guilty plea is a major blow to the group, and her cooperation with authorities may lead to further convictions.
Washington faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 31 before U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan. The court has yet to decide on Washington’s final sentence.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney Stuart M. Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite commended special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden Brockett and Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case.
Alicia Washington’s case highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to tax preparation and the consequences of committing identity theft for financial gain.
Related Federal Cases
- John Paul Pierre, Access Device Fraud Conspiracy, Louisiana 2024 · Georgia
- Christopher Watson, Bank and Wire Fraud, Louisiana 2024 · Washington
- North Louisiana Men Convicted of Bank Fraud Conspiracy · Texas
- Doreen R. Eberley, Decade of Risk Oversight, Washington DC, 2025 · Washington
- Marlene Barkheimer, FDIC Advisory Committee Appointment, Washington… · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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