Seven Charged in $57 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme With Money Laundering Allegations

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on September 3, 2026 that seven people have been charged in an alleged $57 million tax refund fraud scheme involving more than 100 fictitious financial instruments and related money laundering allegations.

A superseding indictment unsealed on September 2 charges Andrea Shannon and Kent Shannon of Kuna, Idaho; Monika Skinger of Chicago, Illinois; Sherita Chandler of Port St. Lucie, Florida; Saule Moshkanova of Roseville, California; Tiffany Nichols of Suwanee, Georgia; and Stacey Rice of Manteca, California.

More than $8 million allegedly paid out

According to the indictment, from 2023 through 2024 the defendants and other unindicted conspirators allegedly worked together to prepare and submit false individual and trust tax returns and fictitious financial instruments to the Internal Revenue Service. DOJ said the claimed refunds totaled more than $57 million and that the conspirators ultimately received more than $8 million from the IRS.

Moshkanova, Nichols and Rice are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Andrea and Kent Shannon, Skinger and Chandler had previously been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Andrea and Kent Shannon also face multiple wire fraud and false-claim charges. DOJ said they allegedly engaged in money laundering by using fraudulently obtained tax refunds to purchase personal property, including luxury vehicles. Kent Shannon additionally faces a money laundering charge carrying a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted.

The wire-fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. Andrea and Kent Shannon also face up to 20 years for each wire-fraud count and up to five years for each false-claim count.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case, with prosecutors from DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division Tax Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho handling the prosecution.

The charges are allegations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.