Crime

St. Croix Woman Involved in Massive Tax Fraud Scheme With Her Daughter and Others Convicted, Faces 10 Years in Jail

ST. THOMAS — After a five-day trial, a federal jury today found Patricia Henry, age 52, of St. Croix, guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert has announced. Henry faces up to 10 years in prison on the conviction plus a fine of up to $250,000. According to evidence presented at trial, Henry, her daughter Phiona Henry, and others participated in a scheme to unlawfully obtain money from the United States Treasury by fraudulently acquiring federal income tax refunds during the period from 2010 to 2013. The scheme involved the acquisition of personal identifying information used to electronically file falsified tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2012. Henry aided others in the filing of tax returns in individuals’ true names and actual social security numbers but falsified the individuals’ income earned, tax withholding amounts, credits, and other information, and thereby claimed refunds to which they were not entitled. Persons involve...