Credit: Metro file photo
Philadelphia prosecutors announced today that a state corrections officer is charged with ripping off taxpayers in his spare time through fraudulent tax returns.
Kenneth Davidson, 38, a corrections officer at SCI Graterford, has been charged with 104 felonies including corrupt organization, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft and forgery.
The office of District Attorney Seth Williams reportedly participated in a two-year investigation along with the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General before charging Davidson and four codefendants.
Prosecutors say that Davidson worked part-time as a seasonal tax preparer for H&R Block, and used this position to file fraudulent tax returns and then deliver those funds to himself and his associates through transfer to H&R Block Emerald debit cards or other prepaid cards.
Davidson allegedly received multiple refunds worth thousands of dollars. His associates provided him with the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of stolen identities or friends.
An intermediary would create a fraudulent W-2, which Davidson would then file to obtain fraudulent tax returns.
Davidson will be arraigned Feb. 14.
His associates are expected to surrender soon, prosecutors said.
Davidson’s alleged associates, Yvonne Williams, Ahmad Gray, Cardell Jackson and Herbert Carter, all face felony charges for their alleged involvement in this tax scam.
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