Nasheba Necia Hunte, 51 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to defraud the IRS and for filing false tax returns, U.S. authorities announced.
A jury convicted Hunte, along with Elmo Antonio George, in March 2012 for a scheme that spanned from January 2003 to April 2007. The duo was also convicted of filing false tax returns for 2005 and 2006, claiming refunds for themselves.
“People who cheat on their taxes are cheating their friends and neighbors and all other law-abiding taxpayers,” said Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally. “They are committing a crime and, as the sentence today shows, risking serious jail time. And, in the end, they will still owe the taxes, together with interest and possible civil penalties.”
“The use of shell companies, false claims and aliases to perpetuate a fraudulent tax scheme isn’t tax planning, it’s criminal activity,” said Richard Weber, Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation. “There is no secret formula that can eliminate a person’s tax obligations. Today’s sentence reinforces our commitment to every American taxpayer that we will identify and prosecute those who evade the payment of taxes.”
Hunte was also ordered to pay $229,305 in restitution to the IRS. The indictment alleged that George incorporated Winco Holdings Inc. in Florida in February 2005, and the duo filed employment tax returns that falsely claimed substantial quarterly employment tax withholdings for non-existent employees.
The evidence at trial established that the IRS remitted refunds to George and Hunte totaling approximately $241,807 for tax year 2005. The duo used the false refund to buy a home in Villa Rica, Georgia, for $145,500, and then deeded the property to an alias to conceal the purchase.
The total intended tax loss was over $1 million, according to evidence presented in court. Hunte was also accused of changing her home address and denying her identity to IRS agents when they tried to contact her.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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