Maryland Man Pleads Guilty To Tax Fraud Scheme

A man from Maryland has pleaded guilty to being a key organizer of an identity theft and tax fraud scheme involving fraudulent tax returns of more than $20 million, reports the Associated Press.

Kevin Brown, 42, of Capitol Heights, pleaded guilty in a scheme that began in 2006 and involved more than 100 people, many of whom were receiving public assistance, as well as bank tellers and postal carriers.

Prosecutors say the group filed at least 7,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking more than $20 million from the government.

Brown, the owner of a barbershop in southeast D.C., prepared fraudulent returns and handled refund money. Prosecutors say some victims turned over identifying information after being told they were entitled to "Obama Stimulus Money." Under federal sentencing guidelines, Brown faces up to 14 years in prison.