SAN FRANCISCO – Latrece O’Neal was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison, followed by 12 months home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $164,397 for her role in a conspiracy to file false claims against the Internal Revenue Service, United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Marcus Williams announced.

O’Neal pleaded guilty on March 23, 2011, to one count of conspiracy to file false claims and one count of obstructing an IRS investigation. According to court documents, O’Neal was one of several individuals charged in a widespread conspiracy to file false claims against the United States. The conspiracy involved using stolen, borrowed or procured names to file false tax returns. O’Neal admitted to having a significant role in the scheme and enlisted family members to join the scheme. She filed, or assisted in filing, false returns from her home and elsewhere asking for $224,663 in fraudulent tax refunds. She also admitted that the fraudulently issued refunds were split among the conspirators and that she induced witnesses to provide false information to the IRS during the investigation of this case.

The other defendants in this case received the following sentences:

• Ayani Davis was sentenced to 63 months incarceration and ordered to pay $241,870 in restitution
• Niyah Edwards was sentenced to 51 months incarceration and ordered to pay $131,486 in restitution
• Samuel Warren was sentenced to 21 months incarceration and ordered to pay $64,240 in restitution

This matter is part of an ongoing investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. The IRS has identified more than 800 fraudulent income tax returns claiming $6.2 million in fraudulent refunds.

Thomas Newman is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

 

 

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