Annapolis, MD – Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that an Upper Marlboro woman pleaded guilty to a theft scheme charge Wednesday in Anne Arundel Circuit Court.
“I applaud the work of my Field Enforcement Division in building this case and pursuing it to prosecution,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said. “They strive to protect Maryland taxpayers from thieves like Ms. Townsend who only look out for their own interests.”
Markena Townsend, 32, of Unit 2, 10249 Prince Place, was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections with all but six months suspended and will have to pay $4,190 in restitution to the Comptroller’s Office.
According to the Comptroller’s Field Enforcement Division, the case stems from five fraudulent tax returns Townsend filed in separate 2008 and 2009 tax filing seasons. Townsend filed the returns using an online tax preparation service to file for tax refunds for herself and three other people.
Townsend received a total of $12,527.83 in Maryland refunds, $10,188 of which was directly deposited into several bank accounts she held. Townsend additionally received a check for $2,415.95. Townsend remains held on unrelated charges in the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.