BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Last year, as cases of tax fraud reached epidemic proportions in the Tampa Bay area, law enforcement formed a multi-agency task force. Through investigations and arrests, the task force continues to uncover information about bogus tax frauds and the manner in which they are committed.
On Tuesday, Ms. Arswaya Ralph, 33, of Riverview, surrendered to police. She was charged with filing 65 false income tax claims and identity theft.
Ms. Ralph entered into a plea agreement with the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida. She will appear before Judge Pizzo on May 21st to enter the plea.
Last year, officials learned that Ms. Ralph and others were using stolen identities to perpetuate the tax frauds. According to court documents, “Ralph and others were filing fraudulent federal income tax returns with stolen identities.
“…The investigation also revealed that Ralph attended and hosted “Drop Parties” during which she and others filed numerous fraudulent income tax returns at the same time.”
On June 2, 2011, during the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement recovered and confiscated numerous items. Some of the items confiscated included a 2010 Buick Lacrosee, $31,407 in cash, 42 preloaded debit cards, a pair of Gucci sunglasses with the case, two laptop computers, and approximately a dozen handwritten ledgers.
The ledgers contained the names, dates of birth, social security numbers and other personal identification. The ledgers also contained bank account and routing numbers, court documents showed.
Police also seized designer clothing, shoes, luggage, handbags, and a pink firearm. Authorities said Ms. Ralph had not reported any legitimate income during 2011.
After having heard her Miranda warnings, Ms. Ralph told law enforcement that she had been filing fraudulent tax returns since August or September 2010, and that she had purchased the vehicle with some of the funds.
According to court documents, the 65 false claims alone resulted in an intended loss of $467,781 from the Internal Revenue Service.
Ms. Ralph is facing a maximum of five years and a fine of $250,000 for making a false claim, and a maximum of 15 years in prison on the charge of identity theft.
