Parksley Woman Admits $7.2 Million Child-credit Tax Scam

More than a year after Watchdog.org reported the IRS sent thousands of refunds to the tiny town of Parksley, Va., a woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and mail fraud.

Linda Avila admitted to obtaining more than $7.2 million in refunds by exploiting the federal government’s child tax credit program.

Avila filed more than 1,700 tax returns with stolen identifications used by illegal immigrants, mainly from Mexico.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that Avila, 50, operated a landscaping and cleaning business in Parksley.

Investigators found copies of refund checks in amounts from $4,000 to more than $7,000. The tax returns frequently cited foreign dependents, which increased the refund amounts.

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