)
or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Date: Oct. 15, 2026
Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov
Detroit – The United States Attorney’s Office today announced charges in two separate fraud schemes totaling over $6 million as part of a nationwide enforcement action led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, Internal Revenue Service, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation targeting tax fraud and related offenses. The Eastern District of Michigan was a key participant in this surge effort.
Since early September, the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country participated in the Department’s first-ever National Tax Enforcement Surge. The surge of nationwide resources resulted in prosecutorial actions against 76 defendants whose alleged and proven crimes intended an estimated loss of revenue to the federal government of more than $490,000,000.
“Fraud is not a crime committed in the heat of the moment. It takes a deliberate and repeated choice to steal from the American people. We are committed to prosecuting these bad actors and cutting off crime at its source,” U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. stated.
“Every dollar stolen through tax fraud is a dollar taken from the American people,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “What we uncovered during this concentrated surge is only the tip of the iceberg. The Department of Justice is committed to expanding our investigations and exposing schemes designed to evade accountability, because there is no safe haven for fraudsters.”
“The Fraud Division is resolved to protect American taxpayers from criminal actors on every frontier of fraud, including tax fraudsters seeking to steal the wealth of America,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Over six weeks, the Fraud Division’s Tax Section, 35 U.S. Attorneys' Offices, and IRS Criminal Investigation took action against over 70 defendants who sought more than $490 million from the Treasury. Today’s results send a clear message to fraudsters: those who intentionally lie to steal the money of the American people should expect to answer for their conduct in federal court.”
“This enforcement surge delivered results for taxpayers,” said IRS CEO Frank J. Bisignano. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are working across government to go after fraud, hold bad actors accountable, and protect the integrity of our nation’s tax system.”
“If there was ever any question whether criminal tax enforcement remains a priority, today’s actions should dispel all doubt. These cases send an unmistakable message that individuals and businesses who deliberately cheat the tax system will be held accountable,” said Jarod Koopman, Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation and Chief Tax Compliance Officer. “The investigations announced today involve hundreds of millions in identified tax losses to the United States, funds that should have supported the programs and services Americans depend on every day. When taxpayers evade their legal obligations, the burden does not disappear, it is shifted to law-abiding Americans.”
U.S. Attorney Gorgon Jr. announced the following cases in the Eastern District of Michigan:
US v. DePriest
Defendant Delilah DePriest of Detroit was charged in an indictment that alleged that, as a tax preparer, DePriest prepared false Schedule C's reflecting large "business losses" to generate substantial tax refunds for her clients. She then took a cut of the refunds as her fee. DePriest was charged with nine counts of Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False Presentment of False Tax Returns, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2). The alleged loss amount is $415,000 and maximum penalties are up to 3 years’ imprisonment for each count and a fine of up to $100,000.
US v. Davis
Defendants James Davis of Northville, MI, and Claudia Moore of West Bloomfield were charged by information with one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Defraud the Government with Respect to Claims. The information alleges dual conspiracies: (1) to obtain PPP loans to which various business entities were not entitled, and (2) to obtain or attempt to obtain Sick and Family Leave credits and Employee Retention Credits to which individuals and businesses were not entitled. The information alleges that Davis is a business owner and client-recruiter who found individuals willing to provide PII in exchange for a cut of false PPP loan proceeds and/or false tax credits and Moore is a tax preparer who created false Forms 941, 7202, and 7200, and Schedules C for numerous “clients.” Both took a cut of the proceeds. The alleged loss amount is $5,535,050.64. Maximum penalties include up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine up to the greater of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, or both, for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge and up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to the greater of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss, or both, for the conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims charge.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This press release details one way in which this office has contributed to ensuring that all Americans pay their fair share.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 16 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.