A woman from Grandview, Missouri, who used to work with the IRS, has admitted guilt before a federal court for preparing fake returns through which she caused her clients to receive over two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of refunds in an illegal manner. Sandra D. Mondaine, 64, a former IRS contact representative who has since retired, confessed to one aiding and abetting count of preparation and submission of false tax documents for her clients.
U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore of the Western District of Missouri reported Mondaine’s acceptance of responsibility for activities regarding the preparation of false claims in federal income tax returns for her clients. Investigations have found out that between 2019 and 2021, Mondaine helped no less than 11 individuals submit at least 39 false tax returns. The IRS stated that there was a tax loss of around two hundred and thirty-seven thousand three hundred and twenty-nine dollars; however, the court observed that the parties involved did not have any agreement as to the precise loss amount.
One of Mondaine’s upposed methods for achieving this was to alter her clients’ tax returns by providing erroneous details, which enabled her clients to receive excessive refunds over and above what they should have received. Her clients paid either a flat rate or a percentage of the refund amount to her. This arrangement provided motive to her, urging her to make more and more refunds which involved fraudulent figures, as these directly pertained to more earnings for her.
Under the terms of her plea agreement, Mondaine will also have to reimburse the IRS for the loss she has caused as a result of her activities involving fraud. Moreover, in a different civil suit, she similarly agreed to what is referred to as a “permanent injunction,” which would not allow her to prepare or aid in preparing one’s federal income tax returns for anyone, including herself. In addition, this order of the court forbids her to prepare tax returns for any persons other than herself.
Under the Pansy doctrine, Mondaine is likely to be imprisoned for three years with no chance of parole. While imprisonment of three years is the maximum sentence provided by the law, such does not imply that the court has made a decision about the extent of her punishment. Judicial proceedings on her sentencing will take place after the United States Probation Office completes its inquiry into the matter.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker, with IRS-Criminal Investigation conducting the investigation. This investigation highlights the efforts of the IRS concerning prosecution of individuals for tax crimes.
