Savannah, GA: Gregory Allen, 31, and Leisha Allen, 33, brother and sister from Jesup, Georgia, pled guilty on Monday before the United States District Court Chief Judge Lisa Godbey Wood for their roles in a stolen identity and tax fraud scheme operating in Wayne County, Georgia.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearings showed that Gregory and Leisha Allen were operators of a fraudulent tax preparer business, B & C Superior Tax Services. Gregory and Leisha Allen were members of a conspiracy that filed hundreds of fraudulent tax returns in order to illegally obtain tax refund checks. The fraudulent tax returns were electronically filed using the stolen names and social security numbers of others, including people who were incarcerated or deceased. Members of the conspiracy filed returns seeking over $2 million in fraudulent tax refunds.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “These defendants were part of a criminal organization that tried to steal over two million dollars from the American people. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who steal the identities of others and to safeguard our tax dollars from fraud."
“The Allens stole the identities of individuals who were incarcerated and those who were deceased in order to perpetuate a scheme to steal government money," stated Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “These types of criminals must be and will continue to be pursued in order to obtain justice for our nation."
The investigation of this case was led by the IRS Criminal-Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Tania D. Groover is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
