Local Couple Busted For $800K Income Tax Fraud

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Federal officials say Tampa Bay area couple conspired to collect nearly $800,000 in income tax refunds using stolen identities.

Officials say 30-year-old Thelonius Robertson and 27-year-old Ynessa D. Brown of Gibsonton were arrested Wednesday and are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit wire fraud.

They also face 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft.

In addition, Brown is charged with two counts of making a false claim against the government.

The Tampa Bay Times reports most of the refunds were for more than $9,000 and were claimed in 2013.