On January 29, 2013, a Fulton County Grand Jury returned indictments against Kimberly Banks (a/k/a Kimberly Conley), Monique Bussey, Melissa Helm, Brittany Banks and Shaneka Richards for their role in a conspiracy to steal money through the use of fraudulent state tax returns.

The scheme involved filing tax returns for people who do not live or work in Georgia and without their knowledge or consent. Information about the victims was used to file fake tax returns so as to generate Department of Revenue (DOR) tax refund checks. The refund checks would be mailed to various addresses of the conspirators, and subsequently deposited into the bank account of one of the conspirators.

Between September 29, 2009, and January 26, 2011, 46 fraudulent DOR tax refund checks valued at $24,908.00 were deposited.

The defendants are charged with one count of Racketeering, O.C.G.A. §16-14-4(c), and one count of Theft by Taking, O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2. Racketeering is punishable by five to 20 years and a fine of up to three times the value of the money stolen. Theft by Taking is punishable by one to ten years and a fine of up to $100,000.00.

Assistant Attorney General Greg Lohmeier is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The case was investigated by Special Agent Alan Dickinson of the DOR Office of Special Investigations.