BATTLE CREEK (WKZO-AM) — A federal indictment has named 34 Battle Creek residents in the largest tax fraud scheme ever broken up in west Michigan.
U.S. Attorney Pat Miles said the criminal organization had been operating for seven years, stealing the identities of over 4,600 people.
In total, Miles said the group defrauded the federal government of $22 million.
Some on the list are prison inmates. Another person took a list of patients with personal information from the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Miles said some of the suspects set up phony bank accounts, while others filled out forms.
Derrick Gibson, 52, was identified as the ringleader. The indictment came down last week, but was sealed to give police time to arrest suspects.
The suspects face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
– John McNeill
