On April 30, 2014, a federal jury sitting in Phoenix found Latoya Nivea Morehead, of Avondale, guilty of wire fraud, false statements, aid or assistance in a false statement, and aggravated identity theft after a three week trial announced Special Agent in Charge Dawn Mertz of the IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office.
On September 5, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a 43 count indictment charging Ms. Morehead with wire fraud, false statements, aid or assistance in a false statement, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleged that Morehead committed the crimes while working as a tax return preparer at various companies. According to the indictment, Morehead failed to report income on her own tax returns and used personal and financial information of former clients to prepare tax returns that resulted in tax refunds that these former clients never received.
The indictment also alleged she fraudulently used the identities of unknown individuals to prepare tax returns that resulted in tax refunds these individuals never received.
The jury deliberated approximately three hours before finding Ms. Morehead guilty on all 43 counts. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30, 2014.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.