Wichita Man Pleads Guilty To Filing False Tax Returns

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man has pleaded guilty to using stolen identities to file false tax returns, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Anthony Hopkins, 40, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to submit false tax claims. In his plea, he admitted to fraudulently collecting income tax refunds based on false tax returns. Hopkins prepared and filed tax returns knowing the claims were false and that he had no authority to file the claims or to collect the refunds. The tax returns were created using the identities of victims and the tax information forming the basis for the refunds were entirely false. The income tax refunds were deposited to pre-paid debit cards in the names of the victims whose identities were stolen. The cards were delivered to Hopkins.

Hopkins is set for sentencing Oct. 3. Co-defendant Ashley Allen, 24, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to the same count. She is set for sentencing July 29. Each of them faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.