Montgomery, Alabama - On May 2, 2012, Chiquita Smith, 22, of 100 Pocahontas Road, Montgomery, Alabama pled guilty of one count of conspiring with at least two other people to defraud the United States by obtaining and aiding to obtain the payment and allowance of false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced today. The goal of the conspiracy was to obtain payments of refunds which were generated by false tax returns containing fraudulent material facts. The false tax returns were filed by other members of the conspiracy. Prior to willfully entering into the conspiracy, the defendant knew of the unlawful purpose of the plan. The potential punishment includes a term of imprisonment which may not be more than 10 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both a fine and imprisonment, and a period of supervised release not to exceed three years.

Smith also pled guilty to knowingly transferring, possessing, and using, without lawful authority, the means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, and to aid in connection with the theft of government property. As a result of this offense, then Smith and at least one other conspirator received things of value which totaled $1,000.00 or more during the period of June 13, 2010 and March 25, 2011. The potential punishment includes a term of imprisonment which may not be more than 5 years, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both a fine and imprisonment, and a period of supervised release not to exceed three years.

 

PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: usaalm.press@usdoj.gov
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617

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