Jackson, Miss - Shonda Williams, 38, of Jackson, was sentenced on August 8, 2017, to 15 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Harold Brittain and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jerome McDuffie.
As part of the conspiracy, Williams stole patients’ personal identifying information from current and former patients at Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center while employed at the facility. She sold the social security numbers to other co-conspirators for cash. Those co-conspirators later submitted false claims to the IRS by preparing and submitting false U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Forms 1040 for tax year 2010 through 2013, using stolen identities. Fraudulent tax refunds were then deposited into the bank accounts of other co-conspirators involved in the scheme. The 865 false claims totaled over $1,000,000 in fraud. Williams was ordered to pay $35,975.00 in restitution for her part in the scheme.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Helen Wall.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
