Federal officials have charged four individuals from California with the largest COVID-19 tax credit fraud scheme ever identified in the U.S., totaling more than $90 million in fraudulent payouts.
The four individuals, identified as Kristerpher Turner, Toriano Knox, Kenya Jones, and Joyce Johnson, are facing multiple charges related to conspiracy, mail fraud, and submitting false claims.
The Fraud Scheme
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed that Turner operated a complex fraud ring that involved submitting fraudulent claims for COVID-19 relief payments.
Over a period spanning from June 2020 to December 2024, Turner and his co-conspirators reportedly invoiced nearly $250 million in false COVID-19 relief claims. Authorities say the group successfully received approximately $93 million in Treasury checks from the IRS.
“In total, the defendants and their co-conspirators submitted fraudulent forms for at least 148 companies, seeking a total of approximately $247,956,938 in tax refunds to which they were not entitled,” according to the FBI.
Attempted Murder Charges
In addition to fraud charges, Knox and Jones are also facing attempted murder charges for shooting Kristerpher Turner in an attempt to silence him and prevent him from speaking to authorities about the scheme. Turner was shot in August 2023 and is now paralyzed.
The group reportedly recruited friends, family, and others by obtaining their personal or business information, which was then used to submit fraudulent claims for COVID-19 relief payments.
The shooting of Turner occurred after the group learned that the IRS and other authorities were investigating their fraudulent activity.
Federal Charges and Penalties
All four defendants face maximum sentences of 20 years in federal prison for each fraud charge if convicted.
Additionally, Knox and Jones face 30-year sentences if convicted on the attempted murder charges, with their gun-related charges carrying potential life sentences.
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Ongoing Investigation
This case is part of a broader investigation, involving the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation section, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, all working together to uncover and prosecute COVID-19 relief fraud schemes.
This is not the first large-scale fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs. Earlier this month, a Chicago laboratory owner was sentenced to seven years in prison for falsifying COVID-19 test results, part of another fraud scheme worth approximately $14 million.
What Are Your Thoughts on This Large-Scale Fraud Case?
This scheme highlights the scale of fraud during the pandemic. Do you think more needs to be done to prevent such incidents? Share your thoughts with us at ridgecrestpact.org.
