Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty

FORT WAYNE – United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, David Capp, announced that Frankie Williams a/k/a “Molly” of Fort Wayne, Indiana entered a plea of guilty to counts 3 and 4 of the indictment which charged her with submitting false claims for payment to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with fraudulent tax returns. The Magistrate Judge is recommending that the district court accept the tendered guilty plea. Parties have 14 days in which to object to the magistrate judge’s recommendation. If the District Court ultimately accepts the guilty plea, the sentencing hearing will be scheduled under a separate order.

Co-defendant Cavasierre Russell a/k/a “Vassi” in June 2016 pleaded guilty to one count of submitting a false claim in connection with a fraudulent tax return. He was sentenced in September 2016 to 6 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay $45,983 restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Two other defendants Ronald Ward and Cassandra Ward, were charged under separate indictments. Ronald Ward, in August 2016 pleaded guilty to one count of submitting a false claim in connection with a fraudulent tax return. He was sentenced in October 2016 to 12 months and a day imprisonment and ordered to pay $48,311 restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Cassandra Ward a/k/a “Kitten,” in March 2016 pleaded guilty to one count of submitting a false claim in connection with a fraudulent tax return. She was sentenced in June 2016 to 5 years probation and was ordered to pay $112,078.64 restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Lovita Morris King and Deborah M. Leonard.

# # #