Clearfield Woman Sentenced To Prison For False Tax Return Scheme

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Clearfield, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 15 months in prison and three years’ supervised release on her conviction of conspiracy to defraud the government, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Juanitha Leach-Anderson, 37

According to information presented to the court, from Mar. 2007 to Aug. 23, 2008, Leach-Anderson conspired with another to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, an agency of the United States Department of Treasury, by obtaining and aiding to obtain payment or allowance of false, fictitious and fraudulent claims against the United States. Leach-Anderson and another person prepared or caused to be prepared and filed approximately 111 false, fictitious and fraudulent federal income tax returns wherein they claimed tax refunds totaling approximately $190,279.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Hickton commended the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Leach-Anderson.