Defendant Admits False Tax Returns Caused Over $1 Million In Refund Payments
SAN FRANCISCO - Marcus Wilson pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco today to filing a false claim with the Internal Revenue Service, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Kareem Carter. The plea agreement was accepted by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge.
In pleading guilty, Wilson, 32, formerly of San Pablo, admitted that during 2011 and 2012 he filed numerous false tax returns on behalf of others. Wilson admitted he told people that they may qualify for “Obama Stimulus" or “Renter’s Rebates" if they had not filed any tax return in a given year. In reliance on his representations, the individuals provided Wilson with information sufficient for him to file a tax return on their behalf. Nevertheless, the individuals generally did not provide any financial or other tax-related information; instead, Wilson falsified information regarding the individuals’ wage and business income so he could obtain refunds from the IRS. Wilson admitted he caused the IRS to fund over $1 million worth of refunds to numerous individuals for tax year 2011 by presenting tax returns he knew contained false information.
A federal grand jury indicted Wilson on Jan. 17, 2017. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to file false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 286; five counts of filing false claims, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287; five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; and five counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A. Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false claim and, if he complies with the terms of the agreement, the remaining counts will be dismissed at sentencing.
Wilson currently is released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 31, 2019, for a sentencing hearing before Judge Tigar. The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287 is 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 plus restitution. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. In this case, Wilson has agreed to pay restitution in an amount to be set by the Court, but in no event less than $1,026,340.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Rees and Meredith Osborn are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Bridget Kilkenny. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS-CI.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
