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According to Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore, Chiara-Monai Hudson 25 – a former professional tax preparer and owner of Arianna’s Accounting Services – cost the state $121,000 in relation to the theft of unemployment insurance benefits and unwarranted tax refund checks.
Hudson was arrested last year after prosecutors said she falsified tax returns and claims for as many as 16 identities, including four that were stolen from taxpayers between January 2010 and March 2012.
According to reports, some of the claims were submitted on behalf of customers and clients, others on behalf of herself.
On Monday, Hudson pleaded guilty to two felonies at Westchester County Court in White Plains. She faces a maximum of seven years in state prison when she is sentenced on Aug. 26.
In a statement, DiFiore said that the money Hudson and her company took will be repaid in full.
“This defendant, in filing false applications for unemployment insurance benefits for additional people, as well as false tax returns for acquaintances and customers – at a time of tight budgets and resources – further cost the taxpayer in having to uncover, find and further prevent the ongoing frauds, as well as insure that the stolen money will be repaid,” she said.
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