Holly Green, Tax Fraud, Louisiana 2012

In a shocking turn of events, five Baton Rouge residents have been charged with tax fraud and identity theft, totaling over $1.4 million in fraudulent refunds. Acting United States Attorney Walt Green made the announcement, revealing the massive scheme that has been in operation since 2012.

Holly Green, a 28-year-old Baton Rouge resident, has been charged with making false claims and identity theft. The bill of information alleges that Green obtained the names and personal identifying information of numerous victims, including Social Security numbers, and used that information to electronically file fraudulent federal tax returns in the victims' names. The fraudulent refunds were then directed to be deposited onto debit cards controlled by Green or mailed to her, which she would cash and gain control of the funds.

According to the charges, Green submitted approximately 71 false tax returns, claiming refunds totaling approximately $123,155 from January 2012 through April 2012. If convicted of both counts, Green faces a maximum possible prison term of ten years and fines totaling $500,000. Green also faces the forfeiture of the proceeds from the alleged scheme.

Meanwhile, Mona Hill, a 32-year-old Plaquemine resident, has been charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The bill of information alleges that Hill obtained the names and personal identifying information of numerous victims and used that information to file fraudulent federal tax returns in the victims' names. From January 2012 through July 2012, Hill submitted approximately 488 false tax returns, claiming refunds totaling approximately $661,258.

Another defendant, Ashley D. Ricks-Stampley (Ricks), has been charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The bill of information alleges that Ricks obtained the names and personal identifying information of numerous victims and then used the information to submit false income tax returns in the victims' names for the 2010 and 2011 tax years. According to the bill of information, Ricks submitted approximately 455 false tax returns and fraudulently obtained approximately $559,953 through her scheme.

Kimberly H. Scott, a 40-year-old Baton Rouge resident, has been charged with theft of public funds. The bill of information alleges that Scott worked with another individual who had obtained the names and personal identifying information of numerous victims and used those stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns. According to the bill of information, Scott allowed this other individual to use Scott's bank account to receive the tax refunds that the fraudulent returns would yield.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shubhra Shivpuri. The charges are the result of an initiative by the United States Attorney's Office, the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations Division, and the United States Tax Division to combat stolen identity refund fraud and other tax fraud schemes.

The defendants have been accused of submitting over 1,000 fraudulent federal income tax returns, with a total refund amount of over $1.4 million. If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be forthcoming.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdla/pr/sirf-charges