DUO PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO DEFRAUD THE GOVERNMENT
BIRMINGHAM – A Birmingham man pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring with a Montgomery woman to defraud the government by filing false tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and IRS Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigations, Reginael D. McDaniel.
MICHAEL DUMAS, 41, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon. His co-defendant, KASANTA STEWART, 30, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge June 9. The two conspired to use stolen identities to file false tax returns. Their scheme caused the Internal Revenue Service to generate more than $127,000 in refunds on the false returns.
“Tax preparers who file false tax returns bilk the government out of millions of dollars every year,” Vance said. “It is a problem that the IRS and this office aggressively pursue and prosecute.”
"While most return preparers provide excellent service to their clients, a few unscrupulous tax preparers file false and fraudulent returns to defraud the government, the tax-paying public and their own clients,” McDaniel said. “Taxpayers should be very selective in choosing a return preparer, and have confidence knowing that person will prepare accurate information and safeguard their personal and financial information."
STEWART and DUMAS could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. STEWART’s sentencing is scheduled Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m., and DUMAS’ sentence is scheduled Oct. 4 at 9 a.m.
This case was investigated by IRS special agents. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis A. Barlow is prosecuting the case.
