FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA – A local woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a tax fraud scheme and theft of veterans benefits. Janice A. Livingston, 30, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with three years of court-ordered supervision following her release.
Livingston was charged with making and presenting a false claim to the IRS and theft of government property. Evidence presented to the court showed that in 2020, Livingston submitted three false claims to the IRS for tax credit entitlements in the amount of $1,126,553.68. She also submitted false documentation to receive individual unemployability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, Livingston made multiple false representations in applying for two Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which the Small Business Administration could provide to business owners negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III, handed down the sentence in federal court. Livingston was also ordered to pay $183,406.01 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the IRS and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hummel is prosecuting the case. The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force helped marshal resources to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
According to the press release, the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was established on May 17, 2021, to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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