Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Keianna A. Jones, 29, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.  The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant conspired with others to submit false claims for income tax refunds.  Blank W-2 forms were obtained from local business establishments for use in committing this fraud. Jones also had others obtain legitimate W-2 forms from actual employers and then altered the forms to create new W-2s by changing income and withholding information so as to maximize the refund to be obtained. In working with others, a portion of the refund received would go to the defendant.  The loss to the Government as a result of this scheme totaled $54,316.00.

The plea is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division under the direction of Special Agent-In-Charge, Shantelle P. Kitchen.