Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud IRS by Filing False Income Tax Returns

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., announced today that Dominique Taylor, 29, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS 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 and submitted false claims for income tax refunds.  Blank W-2 forms were obtained from local business establishments for use in committing this fraud.  Taylor also had others obtain legitimate W-2 forms from actual employers and then altered said W-2s 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 conviction 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 Toni M. Weirauch.