Anthony Henry Williams, False Claims to the IRS, Arizona 2023

A Surprise man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a $600,000 tax refund scam that targeted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Anthony Henry Williams, 52, was convicted on January 11, 2023, of 17 counts, including conspiracy, false claims to the IRS, and transactional money laundering.

Between 2018 and 2019, Williams submitted seven false tax returns to the IRS, claiming over $3 million in owed refunds.

The IRS processed one of these returns, resulting in an unwarranted $600,000 refund to Williams. However, the IRS later advised him that the return was fraudulent and that he needed to return the money. Williams failed to do so, instead using the funds to purchase two luxury vehicles and a home, among other expenditures.

Williams’ co-defendant, Shakina Williams, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served followed by 12 months of supervised release for her role in the offense. Both defendants were ordered to pay almost $600,000 in restitution. They also were ordered to forfeit their interests in a Surprise home, an Audi A7, and a Porsche Panamera.

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin M. Rapp and Kristen Brook, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

Williams’ sentence is a result of his failure to comply with IRS regulations and his blatant disregard for the law. His actions have caused significant financial damage to the IRS and have set a bad example for others who may be tempted to engage in similar behavior.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, has taken a strong stance against tax fraud and will continue to prosecute those who engage in this type of behavior.

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