Media Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Samantha Cheek
CheekS@sctax.org
(803) 898-5281

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2012

Mt. Pleasant woman arrested on tax charges

The SC Department of Revenue today arrested Tonya Lynell Bennett of Mt. Pleasant, SC on one count of forgery and one count of assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.

In 2010, Bennett, 23, provided a W2 form to a tax preparation service in Charleston, SC, which was used to prepare her 2009 individual income taxes. The W2 form indicated that Bennett worked at Churpeyes, Inc., but evidence obtained from the employer revealed that Bennett did not actually work there.

Bennett’s use of the fraudulent W2 form resulted in her receiving a SC income tax refund to which she was not entitled. If convicted of the two felony charges, Bennett could face up to 15 years in prison and/or $500 in fines.

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