Former IRS Employee in Fresno Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False and Fraudulent Tax Returns

FRESNO, Calif. — Angela Milton, 38, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Milton was an IRS tax examining technician in Fresno between 2010 and 2013. During that time, she helped prepare and file numerous fraudulent tax returns in other peoples’ names to increase the refund that the IRS disbursed. In some cases, Milton received a fee while in others she took a portion of the refund without the knowledge of the taxpayer. As a result of her conduct, Milton attempted to defraud the IRS of over $170,000, and the actual loss was approximately $101,475.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.

Milton is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Sept. 3. Milton faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine as well as restitution owed to the IRS. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.