The former operator of a Moreno Valley tax preparation business pleaded guilty Wednesday to a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service through the filing of bogus tax returns.
Nancy L. Hilton, 69, entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson to conspiring to defraud the United States with respect to claims, submitting a false claim, and possession or use of a means of identification to commit unlawful activity, according to the IRS.
Hilton acknowledged that in January 2008, she entered into a scheme with at least five others to file phony tax returns and collect the resulting refunds. Hilton’s role in the conspiracy included preparing fraudulent tax returns as well as supervising the preparation of false returns through her business, according to the IRS.
The total amount of refunds claimed by members of the conspiracy for tax years 2008 and 2009 based upon false information was almost $6 million, according to the IRS.
Hilton faces up to 30 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for July 6 in Los Angeles. She has further agreed to pay restitution to the IRS of nearly $4.5 million, the IRS reported.
— City News Service