Three family members were sentenced on Mar. 27 to prison after being convicted in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme. David Hunt received a sentence of 92 months, his son Baylon Hunt was sentenced to 38 months, and Baylon’s half-brother Corey Burt was given 94 months for their roles in filing fraudulent tax returns using trusts they controlled. Another family member who was also convicted is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
The case highlights the continued efforts by authorities to address large-scale financial crimes involving false claims against the United States Treasury. According to statements made in court and evidence presented at trial, the group sought more than $8.5 million in undeserved tax refunds through their scheme.
Prosecutors said that Baylon Hunt and another family member submitted fake documents such as falsified financial instruments and altered money orders to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Despite receiving warning letters instructing them to stop their activities, they continued submitting false returns and other documents.
As a result of these actions, the conspirators obtained over $1.7 million from the IRS, which they used for personal purchases including luxury goods, furniture, cryptocurrency, a Cadillac Escalade, and a house in Mississippi. All four defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States; David Hunt, Burt, and another family member were also convicted on multiple counts related to preparing false tax returns. Baylon Hunt was acquitted on two such counts.
In addition to prison sentences, all defendants were ordered jointly to pay $1,774,864 in restitution. The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind and Daniel Lipkowitz of the Tax Section along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald.
