A Woodland woman is one of two people facing federal charges in connection with an alleged tax-fraud scheme.
Denna Chambers, 33, and 32-year-old Starsheka Mixon of Pinole are accused of scheming to submit false claims to the government for fraudulent tax refunds, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced Friday.
Both pleaded not guilty last week to charges contained in a 16-count federal grand jury indictment issued on Jan. 14. They include conspiracy to submit false claims and submitting false, fictitious or fraudulent claims.
According to court documents, between January 2011 and June 2013, Chambers and Mixon obtained the names and personal identifying information of other persons and used this information to file false federal income tax returns. The tax returns included false statements about the taxpayers’ income, dependents, occupations and entitlement to tax credits.
In all, approximately 178 false income tax returns requesting more than $900,000 in fraudulent refunds were submitted as part of this scheme. Mixon also is charged with submitting a false claim for a tax refund in connection with her personal tax return.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service criminal investigation unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy to submit false claims, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of submitting false claims, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.