York Man Filed False Tax Returns Claiming Refunds

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of York, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to defraud the government and filing false claims with Internal Revenue Service, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Wendell Parker, 31, pleaded guilty to eleven counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from April 2008 to Oct. 2010 Parker conspired to file 72 false and fictitious income tax returns claiming tax refunds totaling $210,581, and from Dec. 15, 2008, to May 26, 2010, he prepared and filed federal income tax returns claiming refunds knowing the claimant's address, wage information and withholding information was false and fictitious.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 20, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $2,750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Parker.