BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Madison woman’s scheme to obtain millions in fraudulent tax refunds has come to an end, as she pleaded guilty to theft of government property and money laundering charges in federal court.
Angelique B. Harris, 49, entered her guilty plea before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor on February 2013 – February 2014, a period during which she stole U.S. Treasury refunds with the aid of others not named in the indictment.
Harris pleaded guilty to using proceeds from a fraudulent October 2013 federal income tax refund of $558,857 to purchase a luxury Lexus from a Huntsville dealership. The IRS paid the refund on a tax return fraudulently filed in the name of a couple, identified in the indictment as ‘P. and A.O.’ The refund was deposited into an account Harris opened at a Huntsville bank, according to the indictment.
As part of her guilty plea, Harris forfeited a 2013 Lexus ES350 luxury automobile worth about $45,000 that she bought with some of the criminal proceeds. Harris’ sentencing date has not been set, but the maximum penalty for theft of government property and money laundering is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The IRS and FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell E. Penfield is prosecuting.
Harris’ scheme, which involved using stolen tax refunds to purchase luxury items, has left many questions unanswered. However, one thing is clear: she will face the consequences of her actions in a federal court of law.
BIRMINGHAM – A Madison woman pleaded guilty to theft of government property and money laundering charges in federal court, bringing an end to her scheme to obtain millions in fraudulent tax refunds.
Harris’ guilty plea comes after a federal grand jury indicted her in October. She will now face sentencing, which has not been set, but could include up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Related Federal Cases
- Victoria Metz, Embezzlement of Government Property and Aggravated Identity Theft, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Angela S. George, Money Laundering Investigation, Washington DC, 2023 · Washington
- Pam Bondi, Money Laundering Challenge, Austin TX, 2023 · Florida
- Elbert Eugene Shinholster, Food Stamp Fraud and Money Laundering, Georgia 2012 · Oregon
- Christine Rahl, Healthcare Fraud and Money Laundering, Georgia 2014 · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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