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Press Release

New Iberia Woman Sentenced To 26 Months In Prison For IRS Refund Scheme

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana
 

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Veta Thompson, 40, of New Iberia, La., was sentenced on May 17, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, to 26 months in prison with one year supervised release for filing claims with the IRS and receiving tax refunds she was not owed.  Judge Foote also ordered her to pay $77,349.09 in restitution to the IRS.

 According to evidence presented during the guilty plea, Thompson contacted the IRS on Jan. 15, 2008 and asked how overpayments were handled. From Jan. 15, 2008 until April 29, 2010, she submitted 386 payments to the IRS totaling $12,825,992.33.  During the time she submitted the payments, she was aware of the fact that she had no tax liability and that no money was owed to her by the IRS.  Thompson’s bank rejected her payments to the IRS because her account was closed or because of insufficient funds.  Prior to the IRS becoming aware that the payments were drawn from closed or insufficient fund accounts, the IRS issued nine refund checks totaling $77,349.09.  They were mailed to her home and were used for gambling related expenses.

“This defendant fraudulently obtained money that she was not entitled to receive,” Finley said.  “Her dishonest conduct has resulted in significant jail time.  This office will continue to prosecute those who abuse and violate the tax laws.”

The IRS conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

Updated May 18, 2017

Topic
Tax