LaPlace woman pleads guilty to filing false tax returns
Published 12:08 am Saturday, April 13, 2019
- Sandra Raven, 53, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Judge Barry W. Ashe.
NEW ORLEANS — While Sandra Raven lived in LaPlace, prosecutors say, she operated S&R Tax Service from her home.
Using an Electronic Filing Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service, Raven obtained social security numbers, dates of birth and driver’s licenses to electronically file fraudulent tax returns.
Raven entered false wage information for the taxpayers in order to generate tax refunds the taxpayers were not entitled to receive. Raven then caused the IRS to send the refunds to her control.
Between 2012 and 2013, Raven filed nine returns, generating $13,468 in fraudulent returns.
IRS investigators eventually uncovered the scheme, leading to her prosecution and indictment.
A major milestone in the case came down last week as U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced Raven, 53, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Judge Barry W. Ashe.
Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. July 11.
Raven faces up to 20 years in jail, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division personnel for their work investigating the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer.