Erie Woman Admits Defrauding U.S. by Filing False Tax Returns | USAO-WDPA

ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to defraud the government and false claims against the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Chamere Henderson, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between February 2012 and March 2013, Chamere Henderson conspired with her sister, Chamelle Henderson, to file false federal tax returns for three individuals in order to obtain federal tax refunds to which she and her sister were not entitled. The refunds from the tax returns were wired into a bank account to which her sister had access. Chamere Henderson also filed false federal tax returns for two other individuals in an effort to obtain inflated federal tax refunds.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for June 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Henderson on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Henderson.