Alicia Gardner, 43, of Dallas, appeared in federal court this afternoon and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to one count of aggravated identify theft, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Gardner faces a maximum statutory penalty of two years in federal prison, and a $250,000 fine. She could also be ordered to pay restitution. She will remain on bond pending sentencing set for May 5, 2017.
http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html
According to documents filed in her case, from approximately January 11, 2013 to March 1, 2013, Gardner knowingly and intentionally participated in a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). More specifically, Gardner electronically filed tax returns for the tax year 2012 with her EFIN under taxpayers’ names and social security numbers without the taxpayers’ knowledge or consent. At her consent, the IRS issued refund checks to her as opposed to the unsuspecting taxpayers. Some of those checks were in the taxpayer’s names. Gardner and/or her unindicted coconspirator then proceeded to forge the signatures of the taxpayers on the refund checks and cash them. For instance, on November 11, 2013, Gardner electronically submitted a tax return with a refund request of $1,112 for K.V., without K.V.’s knowledge or consent. Gardner then endorsed and cashed the refund check.
Gardner stipulates that her conduct resulted in at least a $135,942 loss.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Wirmani is in charge of the prosecution.
