by Mindy Aguon

Guam - One of two Dededo women who were the subject of a federal probe for providing false tax returns has pleaded guilty to federal charges. Immaculata "Joyce" Sewell admitted to aiding and assisting in the filing of false and fraudulent federal income tax returns.

Last August the Internal Revenue Service executed a search warrant at a Dededo home along Lada Avenue. The feds were investigating Sewell and her sister, Joanne, who allegedly provided false tax returns to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds and refund anticipation loans. A federal complaint accused Sewell of preparing 574 tax returns, knowingly putting false information in order to claim the tax refunds.

Her actions caused a tax loss of more than $2,000,000.

Sewell agreed to make full restitution of $13,000 she received for her personal tax returns and $125,000 in fees that she received for preparing the false tax returns.