A Paducah woman was convicted in federal court last week on charges of wire fraud and false claims.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 52-year-old Natasha Harris-Johnson was convicted of filing eight tax returns for trusts she created. Harris-Johnson is said to have claimed close to $30 million in refunds from those returns.

She also reportedly sought funds from the Small Business Administration by filing a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan application during the COVID pandemic that netted her nearly $160,000. Those funds have reportedly not been repaid after being used for personal expenses.

Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office, said, “The criminal who perpetrated this scheme systematically defrauded the government and the taxpaying public. At the IRS, protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take very seriously and keep at the forefront of our mission every day. IRS-CI will continue to actively pursue those who steal from the hardworking taxpayers of the United States by preparing false claims for refunds to which they are not entitled.”

Harris-Johnson was found guilty after a week-long trial in Paducah. She is set to be sentenced on April 22nd. Harris-Johnson faces a maximum of 20 years on the single wire fraud charge and an additional 5 years on each false claim charge.

There is no parole in the federal system.

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