A Crestline tax preparer identified as Tammy Jonnell Ahumada, 48, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after she entered a guilty plea to filing false tax returns. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Los Angeles, CA – A 48-year-old Crestline tax preparer — Tammy J. Ahumada — has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after entering a guilty plea to defrauding the government by preparing more than 200 false tax returns claiming tax refunds were due, according to information provided by the Internal Revenue Service.
The U.S. District Court Central District of California in Los Angeles also ordered Ahumada to pay restitution to the IRS of $1,414,167, a news release issued by the IRS stated.
THE CASE
During the 2007 to 2010 tax years. Ahumada obtained refunds ranging from $6,789 to $9,336, but admitted that neither she nor the named taxpayers were entitled to the refunds, the press release explained.
The investigation of Ahumada — following her arrest in Crestline on February 26, 2014, was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation in Los Angeles in conjunction with the Tax Division of the United States Attorney’s Office.
GUILTY PLEA
In August of last year, Ahumada entered a guilty plea to one count of an indictment that had originally charged her with 30 counts of making false claims against the United States government and 14 counts of identity theft.
In addition, court documents show that in 2002 and 2006, she was convicted of identity-theft-related financial crimes.
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