Los Angeles County Social Worker Faces 10 Years For Tax Scam
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Los Angeles County social worker has pleaded guilty to filing federal tax returns in the names of 197 people in an effort to snare more than $2 million in refunds.
Prosecutors say 62-year-old Trang Van Dinh faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he's sentenced June 27. The El Monte defendant, who worked for the county Department of Social Services, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of filing false claims against the United States.
The U.S. Attorney's office says Dinh used his position as an eligibility worker to obtain the names and Social Security numbers he used to file the phony tax returns. He sought $2.2 million in refunds and the Internal Revenue Service issued checks for $1.2 million.
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