Two Northern California women have been arrested for their alleged role in a massive tax refund scheme.
Denna Chambers, 33, of Woodland, and Starsheka Mixon, 32, of Pinole, are charged with conspiracy to submit false claims and submitting false, fictitious or fraudulent claims, according to a federal indictment.
Between January 2011 and June 2013, Chambers and Mixon allegedly obtained the names and personal identifying information of other persons and used this information to file false federal income tax returns. The tax returns included false statements about the taxpayers’ income, dependents, occupations, and entitlement to tax credits.
In all, approximately 178 false income tax returns requesting more than $900,000 in fraudulent refunds were submitted as part of this scheme. Mixon is also charged with submitting a false claim for a tax refund in connection with her personal tax return.
Assistant United States Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case, which is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation.
Chambers and Mixon face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the conspiracy to submit false claims. If convicted of submitting false claims, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Guilford, Tax Refund Scheme, California 2025 · Virginia
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Return Fraud, California 2023 · California
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Fraud, California 2023 · Louisiana
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Evasion, California 2026 · Washington
- Frank Hamilton, Loan Shark Scheme, California 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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