The IRS deputized 30 investigators from local and state agencies on Friday in a stepped-up effort to fight identity theft and tax refund fraud in the Bay area.
The investigators are deputies, officers and agents who are already investigating the fraud that's been a big problem in the region for the past few years. The new role as "special IRS criminal investigators" gives them access to information and the ability to do things like execute federal search warrants.
"These folks now are going to have expanded authority that will allow them to police not just their local jurisdiction but any jurisdiction within the U.S.," said Jim Robnett, IRS criminal investigations special agent in charge for the Tampa field office.
The efforts are part of the Identity Theft Alliance the IRS launched last year to work with local agencies in the fight against the crime that's cost the government billions of dollars in fraudulent refunds. In the tax refund crime, fraudsters file fake tax returns using stolen identities, tricking the government into sending out refunds often worth thousands of dollars each.
Previously, investigators with local agencies had expressed frustration they couldn't get information needed to investigate cases because of federal privacy issues. Now they hope their new positions will help them get access to information connected with fraudulent returns to speed up their cases.
"I think the most important thing for the sheriff's office … is that we're able to get tax returns a lot quicker than we did prior to today," said Corp. Bruce Crumpler, who heads up tax fraud investigations at the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office.
Those sworn in Friday are from the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough Sheriff's Office, Clearwater Police Department, Largo Police Department, St. Petersburg Police Department, Brooksville Police Department, Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Manatee County Sheriff's Office and FDLE.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:03:34 GMT
St. Petersburg Police Officers have arrested three people for a home invasion and beating that left a 63-year-old woman in critical condition on Wednesday morning.
St. Petersburg Police Officers have arrested three people for a home invasion and beating that left a 63-year-old woman in critical condition on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:07:09 GMT
Going in for surgery
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:30:04 GMT
Laura Spaulding is used to crime scenes. Her company, Spaulding Decon, is often called in to clean up sites involving homicides, hoarding and other incidents. But this spring, she discovered signs
Laura Spaulding is used to crime scenes. Her company, Spaulding Decon, is often called in to clean up sites involving homicides, hoarding and other incidents.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:11:27 GMT
Frances Terry Evans faces charges of animal cruelty
Hernando authorities say they've arrested a woman on animal cruelty charges after finding 50 cats and three dogs inside an abandoned U-haul truck parked behind a Publix store near the county line of Pasco.
Hernando authorities say they've arrested a woman on animal cruelty charges after finding 50 cats and three dogs inside an abandoned U-haul truck parked behind a Publix store near the county line of Pasco.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:58:57 GMT
AP Photo: Navy un-manned drone
The Obama administration acknowledges for the first time that four American citizens have been killed in drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen since 2009.
The Obama administration acknowledges for the first time that four American citizens have been killed in drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen since 2009.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
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
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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:00:26 GMT
Fashion Expert Mickey Williams is back with this summer's hottest swimwear to suit every body type from www.BareNecessities.com. www.BareNeccesities.com carries the best brands for bra-sized swim up to
Fashion Expert Mickey Williams is back with this summer's hottest swimwear to suit every body type from www.BareNecessities.com. www.BareNeccesities.com carries the best brands for bra-sized swim up to
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:08 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:08:53 GMT
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:07:09 GMT
Going in for surgery
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:30:57 GMT
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 2:12 PM EDT2013-05-07 18:12:20 GMT
AP Photo
The U.S. Northeast is about to be snowed under by cicadas. Don't worry, though, it's normal. The pesky invasion is just so unusual that people tend to forget about it.
The U.S. Northeast is about to be snowed under by cicadas. Don't worry, though, it's normal. The pesky invasion is just so unusual that people tend to forget about it.
