BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this month, a Hillsborough County woman was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for her role in a tax fraud scheme. While she does not proclaim her innocence, she disputes the amount of money she allegedly received from filing bogus income tax refunds.
Sentenced to 12 years, Mrs. Tania Henderson-Johnson, who married Dwayne Denard Johnson on February 22nd), shared her story during a telephone interview. “I’m not trying to say that I’m innocent, but a person cannot accumulate that kind of money in four months.
“They (federal officials) asked me to take a deal, but I would have had to waive all of my rights. After I turned down the deal on a Friday, they arrested my husband the following Monday. When they came to arrest me, it was on a conspiracy charge.”
She further stated that photographs used as evidence against her were of her and her husband taken at a club.
Mrs. Henderson-Johnson, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, said she moved to Tampa 6 years ago. For three of those 6 years, she and her mother owned the Natural N Hair Reigns In Style Salon, on N. Florida Avenue.
She said the fact that she owned and operated a business or any other positive attributes were brought up in court. “The fact that I had a business and was actually doing positive things was not recognized in court.
“I had a court-appointed attorney, but he didn’t help and he didn’t do a good job. Nobody would fight for me. I was told that the fact that I never had a criminal record, that I had never been arrested for anything would not help me. My entire family was there and everyone was crying.”
According to court documents, Mrs. Tania Henderson-Johnson, 28, of Wesley Chapel, appeared before U. S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson, in a St. Louis, Missouri courtroom.
Mrs. Henderson-Johnson was also ordered to repay $835,883 in restitution.
Prosecutors said she filed tax returns for more than $1.8 million dollars. However, the Internal Revenue Service intercepted nearly $1,000,000 in refunds.
Officials said that between August and November 2012, Mrs. Henderson-Johnson filed 236 fraudulent tax returns from her Wesley Chapel home.
Mrs. Henderson-Johnson also denied having received any cards. Prosecutors alleged that she used a network of family and friends to collect refund checks or pre-paid debit cards and then liquidate the proceeds of her scheme. She is accused of renting a luxury home in suburban Tampa, and having purchased a BMW, Jaguar sports car, and expensive electronics.
Mrs. Henderson-Johnson said, “I was never flashy or even bragged about anything I ever had in life. I always had nice things and always strived for the best in life.” She further stated that she also helped a lot of people, but wonders where those she helped are now.
“I’m not saying it’s okay to be a part of any criminal behavior, but be cautious to whom you consider your family or friends because jealousy has no limits. It doesn’t matter if it’s your sister, brother, cousin, or even those knockoff friends.”
Despite the fact that Mrs. Henderson-Johnson must leave her two daughters, ages 4 and 9 while serving her sentence,
she is facing it with a positive attitude.
“Where I am mentally, I would never change the person I am, but change the people I deal with. From this point on, what I’m going through has only made me a stronger and wiser woman.
“I really want to encourage anyone going through a situation like this to stand on what you believe,” she said. Mrs. Henderson-Johnson said she is also considering writing a book about her life in the future.
Dwayne Johnson has not been sentenced.
