Western District of Oklahoma Joins DOJ Fraud Division, IRS, and IRS-CI in National Tax Enforcement Surge Exposing $490 Million in Tax Fraud

35 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices joined the Fraud Division in bringing enforcement actions against alleged fraudsters OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma today announced its participation in a nationwide enforcement effort led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Internal Revenue Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation targeting tax fraud and related offenses.

Between early September and today, federal prosecutors across the country facilitated fraud enforcement actions against 76 criminal defendants, reaching approximately $490,000,000 in intended loss to American taxpayers. “Every dollar stolen through tax fraud is a dollar taken from the American people,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “What we uncovered during this concentrated surge is only the tip of the iceberg. The Department of Justice is committed to expanding our investigations and exposing schemes designed to evade accountability, because there is no safe haven for fraudsters.”

“The Fraud Division is resolved to protect American taxpayers from criminal actors on every frontier of fraud, including tax fraudsters seeking to steal the wealth of America,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Over six weeks, the Fraud Division’s Tax Section, 35 U.S. Attorneys' Offices, and IRS Criminal Investigation took action against over 70 defendants who sought more than $490 million from the Treasury. Today’s results send a clear message to fraudsters: those who intentionally lie to steal the money of the American people should expect to answer for their conduct in federal court.”

“A fraudulent tax refund comes directly at the expense of honest taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Our office and IRS Criminal Investigation are committed to uncovering these crimes and holding accountable those who turn false claims into personal profit.”

“Tax fraud is a crime that comes with a litany of victims. Criminal return preparers often steal the identities of the taxpayers that hire them, steal large chunks of the fraudulent refunds, and target the communities that can least afford it. Employment tax fraud steals from your personal contributions to Social Security, Medicare and other programs you thought you were paying into. Tax evaders simply want to enjoy their lives by having you and I pay for it,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of IRS-CI's Texas Field Office. “We are taking back what they stole and taking away their freedom to deter them from stealing again, but that won’t stop every criminal. If you don’t want to be a victim, select your return preparer carefully, avoid the temptation for a fraudulent better refund and report suspected fraud on IRS.

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In the Western District of Oklahoma, ANTONIO WAYNE PITTS, 47, of Oklahoma City, has pleaded guilty to one count of making a false claim to the IRS. According to court records, on April 18, 2022, Pitts filed a form with the IRS falsely reporting that his business had withheld $163,637 in taxes during the previous year. Pitts’s false claim resulted in a refund of $132,037.

This press release details one way in which this office has contributed to ensuring that all Americans pay their fair share. For more details, please see this press release.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.