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Millions Stolen: Local Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Refund Scam
Jessenia Cordero, 37, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to file federal tax returns using stolen IDs, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Cordero operated MJ & Associates and Express Tax Services, both located in Allentown. These businesses provided tax preparation, check cashing and other services to customers. Cordero and her co-conspirators obtained lists of Puerto Rico residents’ names and social security numbers and used these IDs to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The conspirators directed the IRS to mail the refund checks to addresses they controlled and to deposit the refunds onto pre-paid debit cards. Cordero used her businesses to cash fraudulently obtained refund checks totaling approximately $4,316,103.
Cordero is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12, before U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith. She faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Lappen commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, HSI and FBI, and the Allentown Police Department, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall and Trial Attorney Matthew J. Kluge of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting sensitive information from identity thieves. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS-Criminal Investigation, HSI, FBI, and the Allentown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall and Trial Attorney Matthew J. Kluge of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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