12th person pleads guilty in tax fraud conspiracy

A Springfield woman pleaded guilty yesterday to her role in a tax fraud scheme. She becomes the 12th person to admit guilt in a conspiracy involving at least 20 others.

Lisa DeHaven, 34, pleaded guilty to filing a false and fraudulent income tax return, according to a news release from the office of Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

The leader of the conspiracy, Cherie Dupuis, 43, of Springfield, pleaded guilty in July to running a fraudulent tax return preparation conspiracy that claimed $340,630 in refunds from the IRS, roughly $336,839 of which was false. The scheme resulted in an actual tax loss to the IRS of $284,169.

DeHaven admitted she filed false returns for the 2009 and 2010 tax years. She supplied her personal information to Dupuis, who used it to file false returns, according to the release.

For her efforts, DeHaven received $19,791 in fraudulent income tax refunds, which she split with Dupuis.

Under federal statutes, DeHaven could receive up to five years in federal prison without parole, a fine of up to $250,000 and a restitution order. A sentencing hearing will be held after the U.S. Probation office completes its presentence investigation, according to the release.