Rhonda Yvette Brooks, a Plant City resident, was sentenced to three years and six months in federal prison for tax fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich handed down the sentence, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa. Brooks was also ordered to pay $23,096 in restitution for funds traceable to proceeds of the offense, the release states.
Brooks pleaded guilty to the charges on Feb. 20. Prosecutors contended Brooks submitted fraudulent tax returns electronically thorough Turbo Tax from her Plant City home. She also submitted tax returns for several fictitious identities provided by the IRS in an undercover operation, authorities say. Brooks’ fraudulent tax returns totaled more than $70,000, the release states.
