American Samoan Woman Arrested on Charges of False Claims for Filing Over 200 Fraudulent Tax Returns on Behalf of Other Individuals

Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Coriana Ifopo, 54, of American Samoa, was arrested today in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has been charged with 28 counts of making false claims to a government agency.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward, who presented the case to the grand jury, Ifopo filed tax returns on behalf of over 200 other individuals living in American Samoa. Ifopo falsely claimed that they lived in the United States, including Alaska, and falsely claimed that they were owed refunds when they were not. The false claims included listing false dependents, false withholdings, and claiming earned income credits when they were not applicable.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count and a $250,000 fine or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in the case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.