A federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Texas, has indicted four family members for allegedly conspiring to defraud the United States by filing false tax returns seeking millions in refunds. The indictment, unsealed on June 30, charges David Hunt of Arlington, Texas; his twin sons Brandon and Baylon Hunt; and their half-brother Corey Burt from Mississippi.
The indictment claims that since 2016, the accused filed fraudulent tax returns under the guise of trusts to claim over $8.5 million in refunds they were not entitled to receive. Brandon Hunt also allegedly filed a false return in his own name. Collectively, they reportedly received more than $1 million from these false filings.
Additional accusations against Brandon and Baylon Hunt include submitting fake documents such as falsified financial instruments and altered money orders to the IRS. The proceeds from these activities were allegedly shared among the defendants through transfers and used for purchasing luxury goods, cryptocurrency, and real estate.
Each defendant faces charges of conspiracy as well as aiding and assisting in preparing false tax returns. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy and three years for each count related to false tax return preparation. Additional penalties may include supervised release, restitution, and monetary fines. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge following consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division alongside Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson of the Northern District of Texas.
The case is under investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation with prosecution led by Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind and Daniel Lipkowitz from the Tax Division along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht for the Northern District of Texas.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
