United States Attorney in Tampa cracks down on tax fraud
Posted:
Updated:
By WFLA.com web staff
United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announced that Carlista Hawls plead guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, wire fraud, and theft of government funds and one count of aggravated identity theft. Hawls faces a maximum penalty of 5-years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, between January and August of 2012, Hawls along with others filed about 217 false and fraudulent federal income tax returns. Authorities say that in many of the filings, the individuals whose information appeared on the returns did not know about the activity. Authorities say that the 217 fraudulent returns claimed over $1.5 million in bogus tax refunds.
This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Assistant United States Attorney Simon Gaugush prosecuted the case.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:40:22 GMT
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Monday, May 20 2013 12:37 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:37:39 GMT
Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott's letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott's letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:44:01 GMT
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:26:21 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:44:01 GMT
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 6:01 AM EDT2013-05-01 10:01:55 GMT
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:43 GMT
Hank Earl Carr
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
