A Benton County woman will spend more than four years in prison for defrauding a program aimed at helping workers during the COVID-19 pandemic out of over $1.4 million.
Court documents reveal that Patricia Jones, 44, submitted false and fraudulent IRS forms to obtain Employee Retention Credit (ERC) funds. ERC was designed to encourage employers to continue to pay employees while COVID-19 was spreading rapidly across the country. The defendant is said to have submitted forms on behalf of herself and others, attempting to claim over $3.8 million in fraudulent refunds and generating over $1.4 million in fraudulent payments by the IRS to herself and others.
After pleading guilty to her involvement in this scheme, Jones was sentenced by U.S. Judge Sharion Aycock to 50 months in prison and three years of supervised release. She is also ordered to pay back the more than $1.4 million to her victims.
“Individuals who cheat the American taxpayer undermine public trust and siphon resources intended to support our communities,” Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman said. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are highly trained financial investigators, skilled at following the money, uncovering complex fraud schemes, and ensuring that individuals who attempt to cheat the American taxpayer are held fully accountable. We remain committed to protecting public trust by taking action against those who misuse federal relief programs.”
The case was investigated by the IRS and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Dabbs.
