Hernando County Woman Indicted For Stolen Identity Refund Fraud

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Bertha Hart with four counts of theft of government property. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each count. The indictment also notifies Hart that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $34,859.00, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, from at least February 2012 through May 2012, Hart participated with others in a scheme to steal money from the U.S. government using stolen identities.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the United States Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney.