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Press Release

Reed Springs Man Sentenced for Making False Tax Claims

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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Reed Springs, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for making more than $124,000 in fraudulent tax refund claims.

Michael R. Jett, 48, of Reed Springs, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to two years in federal prison without parole.

On Dec. 16, 2013, Jett pleaded guilty to making a false claim against the government. Jett admitted that he filed 22 false or fraudulent tax returns in order to obtain larger tax refunds between January 2009 and January 2012. Jett prepared tax returns for himself, his family and for other individuals using fraudulent W-2 forms issued by companies under his control, including Air1Assault, Creative Designs, Southwest Missouri Home Products and Corvette Specialist. Using the fraudulent W-2 forms, Jett prepared tax returns requesting tax refunds in amounts larger than actually owed. Those refunds were electronically deposited in bank accounts in his name, or the names of family members.

Jett requested a total of $124,493 in refunds on those 22 tax returns, which actually qualified for only $19,137 in legitimate refunds. The total loss for the scheme was $105,356.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Updated January 12, 2015