A former Maricopa County Jail inmate, Steven Scott Pearce, 57, of Phoenix, Ariz., has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for preparing false tax refund claims while incarcerated.
On February 9, 2015, U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa handed down the sentence after Pearce pleaded guilty on October 7, 2014, to conspiracy to file false claims.
Pearce admitted to preparing federal income tax returns using other inmates’ names, social security numbers, and dates of birth, and then listing false income and tax withholding so that the Internal Revenue Service would issue a false refund.
He worked with others inside and outside the jail to help prepare the tax returns, mail the returns to the Internal Revenue Service, and cash refund checks. Pearce claimed that he prepared at least 17 tax returns claiming a total of approximately $285,000 in false tax refunds.
Most of the false tax refunds were identified before refunds were issued. At the time, Pearce was serving a five-year state prison sentence for unrelated crimes. His 33-month sentence for the tax fraud scheme will be served consecutive to his state prison sentence.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by James R. Knapp, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Pearce’s case is a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat tax fraud and other white-collar crimes in Arizona. His sentencing serves as a warning to those who would engage in similar activities.
Related Federal Cases
- Brandon Scott Menaged, Wire Fraud, Arizona 2023 · Idaho
- Steven W. Allen, Tax Evasion, Arizona 2002 · District of Columbia
- Steven W. Allen, Tax Evasion, Arizona 2004 · Florida
- Willie Mitchell, Bank Fraud, Arizona 2023 · Washington
- Isrrael Millan, III, Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud, Money Laundering, Arizona 2020 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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