Clearfield Woman Participated In Fictitious Income Tax Refund Scheme

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Clearfield, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the government, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Juanitha Leach-Anderson, 36, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, from March 2007 to August 23, 2008, Leach-Anderson conspired with another to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, an agency of the United States Department of Treasury, by obtaining and aiding to obtain payment or allowance of false, fictitious and fraudulent claims against the United States. Leach-Anderson and another person prepared or caused to be prepared and filed approximately 111 false, fictitious and fraudulent federal income tax returns wherein they claimed tax refunds totaling approximately $190,279.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 24, 2014, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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