The federal government has undergone a "seismic change" in dealing with the kind of tax refund fraud cases that have plagued the Bay area, according to the U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Florida.
"There's no question when we first started this, a lot of people either didn't know this was occurring, or if they knew, they didn't see it on the grand scale that we all did see it at the beginning," U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill, whose district stretches north to Jacksonville and south to Fort Myers, said in an interview Tuesday.
O'Neill said federal authorities are working faster to prosecute cases in which suspects use stolen identities to file fake tax returns, prompting the government to send them refunds of thousands of dollars.
"The typical tax case went on for years and years," he said. "And we've argued this is not a tax case, this is an identity fraud type case."
O'Neill said media coverage, including reports by News Channel 8, combined with efforts by the Tampa Police Department helped bring attention to the crime and prompt the changes.
Law enforcement working together as part of the "Alliance" with the Internal Revenue service are generating a steady flow of cases that are coming in more quickly than before, he said. He expects to see about 100 prosecutions this year.
"I hope at some point that can sort of stop because the IRS will have figured out how to prevent this from occurring, and then we can go back and focus on other types of cases," O'Neill said. "But in the interim period, we still need to prosecute as many cases as possible to deter others from doing it."
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:11 AM EDT2013-05-18 15:11:49 GMT
If you're planning to put the expense of this summer's vacation on a credit card and pay it off over time, travel experts say you may want to avoid using reward cards.
If you're planning to put the expense of this summer's vacation on a credit card and pay it off over time, travel experts say you may want to avoid using reward cards.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:32 AM EDT2013-05-18 14:32:17 GMT
NBC Connecticut
The governor of Connecticut and the state's two senators are meeting with representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board this morning at the site of a Metro-North Railroad crash.
The governor of Connecticut and the state's two senators are meeting with representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board this morning at the site of a Metro-North Railroad crash.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-18 14:00:52 GMT
A recent Consumer Reports survey of more than 1,600 adult smartphone users found nearly 40 percent don't bother to take the minimal steps to secure them with simple password protection.
A recent Consumer Reports survey of more than 1,600 adult smartphone users found nearly 40 percent don't bother to take the minimal steps to secure them with simple password protection.
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"
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.
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.
Robert E. O'Neill
