Oregon Woman Pleads Guilty for Conspiring to File Fraudulent Income Tax Returns Claiming More than $1 Million in Refunds

A Portland, Oregon, woman pleaded guilty on Friday before U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Jones in the District of Oregon for conspiring to file fraudulent federal income tax returns that claimed refunds of more than $1 million, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to the plea agreement, Jasmine Mason admitted that she conspired with other individuals to prepare and file more than 227 fraudulent income tax returns for calendar year 2009 during the 2010 tax filing season.  The false information on the tax returns included fictitious W-2 wage and withholding information and fraudulent refundable tax credits. 

As part of the terms of the plea agreement, Mason has agreed to a sentencing recommendation of 32 months in prison for her crimes.  She also faces financial penalties of fines and restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of more than $330,000 at her Sept. 15 sentencing. 

Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo commended the special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation in Portland, who investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Lori Hendrickson and Ryan Raybould of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.  She also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland for their substantial assistance. 

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.