Former IRS Employee in Fresno Charged with Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False and Fraudulent Tax Returns

FRESNO, Calif. — On April 12, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against Angela Milton, 35, of Fresno, charging her with aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

The case was sealed until Milton’s arrest on Tuesday. According to court documents, between 2007 and 2014, Milton worked as a tax examining technician at the IRS in Fresno. Between 2010 and 2013, Milton allegedly prepared and filed false and fraudulent federal income tax returns for others and for herself. She added false information that she knew would increase the amount of the refund. For some tax returns, and without the authorization of the taxpayer, Milton claimed a split refund with part of the refund amount going to the taxpayer and the remaining refund directly deposited into accounts to which Milton had access. For other taxpayers, Milton filed a tax return without their knowledge or consent and caused the entire refund amount to be deposited into accounts to which Milton had access. As a result of her conduct, Milton is alleged to have defrauded the IRS of over $170,000.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Milton faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.