Mother-Daughter Duo Indicted for Tax Fraud

CATHY ROSS VINNETT, 46, and her daughter, LASHANDA RUTH VINNETT, 29, of Destrehan, Louisiana, have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States and the Internal Revenue Service.

According to court documents, CATHY VINNETT opened the D&C Tax Service in 2006 and in 2008 the VINNETTS created River Parish Tax Professionals for the purpose of filing fraudulent tax returns using the First-Time Homebuyer Credit.

The VINNETTS, through their company River Parish, filed approximately 311 tax returns resulting in $1.8 million dollars in refunds. Of those 311 returns that were filed, 237 or 76% of the returns claimed the FTHBC.

The VINNETTS face a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by special agents from the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Strike Force Chief and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.

The VINNETTS are accused of exploiting a refundable tax credit available for people who purchased a new home between April 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009.

An indictment is a formal accusation of a crime, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

RELATED: OKC Mother-Daughter Duo Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud & Framing

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