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Man admits filing tax returns while an inmate

Prosecutors said the man collected Social Security numbers from inmates and recruited others to collect the numbers for him

The Knoxville News Sentinel

NASHVILLE — Federal prosecutors say a former Tennessee prison inmate has pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns while behind bars. According to a news release, Walter Allen “Beau” Johnson conspired to submit false tax returns claiming refunds on behalf of inmates for a year ending in 2007.

Prosecutors said Johnson collected Social Security numbers from inmates and recruited others to collect the numbers for him. Johnson and his co-conspirators are accused of then using those numbers to file false income tax forms in the names of inmates.

According to an indictment, Johnson and his co-conspirators collected about 90 U.S. Treasury checks totaling $58,651.

A sentencing date has not been set. Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison and fines of $3 million.

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