MONTGOMERY, AL – A brazen scheme to steal identities and siphon off tax refunds has landed three Alabama residents in federal prison, the Department of Justice announced this week. The conspiracy, which stretched across multiple states, involved filing fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal information. Authorities say the trio systematically targeted taxpayers, diverting refunds into their own pockets.
Mary Bennett, of Wetumpka, received the harshest sentence: 75 months in prison. She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, Bennett was the central figure responsible for filing the false tax returns and maintained a stockpile of stolen identities at her residence. The operation wasn’t just limited to federal refunds; the scheme also targeted state income tax returns.
Narendrakumar Patel, formerly the owner of a check-cashing business in Millbrook, was sentenced to 24 months behind bars. Patel admitted to knowingly cashing forged checks generated by the fraudulent scheme and profiting from the illicit activity. His business provided a crucial outlet for laundering the stolen funds. Eugenia Burks, of Montgomery, received an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy. She played a key role in facilitating the fraud, though the specifics of her involvement remain less detailed in public records.
“This case is another example of the punishment that will result from stealing people’s identities and fraudulently filing tax returns,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. “If you steal people’s identities and file fraudulent tax returns, you will be caught and you will be punished.” The investigation revealed that fraudulently obtained refund checks were mailed to numerous addresses linked to the conspiracy, while other refunds were directly deposited into a network of bank accounts under their control.
“These unscrupulous defendants thought they had figured out a clever scheme to thwart the IRS and steal from American taxpayers,” said Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “As the defendants in this case have learned, stealing from the American people will not be tolerated and you will be held accountable.” The case was a joint effort by special agents of the United States Secret Service and the IRS – Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board.
Tax Division Trial Attorney Jason H. Poole and Assistant United States Attorney Todd Brown prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Tax Division continues to aggressively pursue identity theft and tax fraud schemes. More information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/tax. Press inquiries can be directed to Clark Morris at usaalm.press@usdoj.gov or (334) 551-1755.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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