McKinney Tax Cheat Admits to $248K IRS Scam

PLANO, Texas – Peter Mwedziwendira, a 48-year-old resident of McKinney, Texas, is staring down federal prison time after admitting to a brazen scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. The man pleaded guilty March 28, 2017, to filing false personal tax returns, a move announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

The case, heard before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest Johnson, revealed a systematic pattern of deceit. Mwedziwendira wasn’t just cooking his own books; court documents show he falsely claimed Head of Household status, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and fabricated educational expenses on his 2011, 2012, and 2013 returns. It wasn’t a one-time slip-up, either.

Federal investigators uncovered evidence that Mwedziwendira extended his fraudulent services to clients, preparing false tax returns for them during the same tax years. He wasn’t just dodging his own obligations; he was actively helping others do the same, enriching himself while robbing the government. The total damage? A staggering $248,332 in losses to the IRS.

A federal grand jury indicted Mwedziwendira in February 2017, bringing the full weight of the law down on his shoulders. While the maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is three years in federal prison, the actual punishment will be determined by the court, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.

The IRS Criminal Investigations division spearheaded the investigation, meticulously unraveling Mwedziwendira’s web of lies. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Andrew Williams is prosecuting the case, determined to see justice served. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following the completion of a presentence investigation conducted by the U.S. Probation Office.

This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about a calculated betrayal of public trust, a blatant disregard for the law, and a drain on resources that could be used to benefit honest taxpayers. Mwedziwendira will now have plenty of time to reflect on his choices while awaiting his fate.