Metro-East Resident Pleads Guilty To Participating In Fraudulent Tax Refund Scheme

Sylvia Baker, 30, from Fairview Heights, Illinois, pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States by making false claims for tax refunds to the Internal Revenue Service by submitting false federal income tax returns, and also pled guilty to five additional counts for making false claims for federal tax refunds, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Baker faces a prison sentence of up to 35 years, a fine of up to $1,500,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised release after serving her sentence and mandatory restitution. Her sentencing has been scheduled for July 10, 2015.

The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.