Indictment: Olathe Woman’s Schemes Included False Tax Returns, Mail Fraud and Bank Fraud

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Olathe woman was charged in an indictment unsealed today with devising a series of schemes to steal public funds by means of tax fraud, mail fraud and bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. Three other people also were charged in the case.

The indictment alleges Raquel Odegbaro, 39, owner of Cokeza Styles, an online business that sold hair products, created a series of fictitious companies and filed tax returns in the names of so-called employees that included false information about wages earned, amounts withheld and refunds due.

In addition to tax fraud charges, Odegbaro is accused of making fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits, student loans and food stamps.

Odegbaro is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States (count one), making false claims (counts two through seven), theft of public money (counts 8 and 9, and counts 24 and 25), aggravated identity theft (counts 10, 11, 20 to 22), conspiracy to commit mail fraud (count 12), mail fraud (counts 13 through 15), making false statements (count 23), theft of public money (counts 16 through 19, and counts 24 and 25), and bank fraud (count 26 and 27).

Also charged are:

Abdirizak Aden, 32, Kansas City, Mo., who is alleged to have rented a UPS mailbox where he received loadable debit cards containing tax refunds that were obtained by fraud. He is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States (count one), making false claims (counts two through seven), theft of public money (counts 8 and 9, and 16 through 19), aggravated identity theft (counts 10 and 11, and 20 through 22), conspiracy to commit mail fraud (count 12), and mail fraud (counts 13 through 15).

Alexander Limihagati, 33, Overland Park, Kan., who is alleged to have received tax refunds mailed to his address that were obtained by fraud. He is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States (count one), making false claims (counts two through seven), theft of public money (counts 8 and 9), and aggravated identity theft (counts 10 and 11).

Zia Mkubi Kajanja, 40, Overland Park, Kan., who is alleged to have provided Odegbaro with Social Security numbers and personal information on individuals needed to file tax returns. He is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States (count one), making false claims (counts two to seven), theft of public money (counts 8 and 9), and aggravated identity theft (counts 10 and 11).

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Conspiracy to defraud the government (count one): A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Making false claims (count two through seven): A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Theft of public money (counts 8, 9, 24 and 25): A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Aggravated identity theft (counts 10 and 11, and 20 through 22): A mandatory two years (consecutive).

Conspiracy to commit mail fraud (count 12): A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Mail fraud (counts 13 through 15): A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Theft of public funds (counts 16 through 19): A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

False statements (count 23): A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Bank fraud (counts 26 and 27): A maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count.

The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Kansas Department of Children and Families, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor and Racketeering and Fraud Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.