Metroeast Resident Pleads Guilty To Participating In Fraudulent Tax Refund Scheme

Lamarion Shanes, 33, from East St. Louis, pled guilty to two counts of making a false claim for a federal tax refund in submitting a false federal income tax return, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Shanes faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, and up to 3 years’ supervised and mandatory restitution. Shanes was indicted with three other metro east individuals for participating in a tax refund scheme. Sentencing has been set 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.