HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Federal and state leaders say they’re ramping up the fight against fraud.
Officials from across the Southeast gathered Thursday for a fraud enforcement conference.
Federal prosecutors highlighted recent investigations, including a major Alabama tax fraud case.
During this event, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama pointed to the case of a Center Point tax preparer arrested this week.
Investigators say Michael Shine filed thousands of fraudulent tax returns claiming false residential energy tax credits.
They say more than 8,000 returns were filed between 2022 and 2026.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen says the state is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice through a new data-sharing agreement designed to help detect and prevent business fraud.
“And when I say claim these credits, we’re talking about lying on a tax return that something had been done to the tune of $120,000 or more that had not been done at all. The IRS has paid out upwards of $65 million in returns, $65 million in refunds on those returns. That’s a staggering number when you think about it.”
United States Attorneys say investigations in the Southeast involve more than $90 million in tax fraud.
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