HOUSTON – A Houston woman has been convicted of identity theft and stealing nearly $500,000 worth of unclaimed funds and property tax refunds, United States Attorney Jose Moreno said on Thursday.
Officials said Roxann Thomas, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Authorities said Thomas took more than $498,000 in tax refunds and unclaimed funds, mostly from the Harris County Tax Office and Texas State Comptroller’s Office, in January and February. Officials said Thomas used public databases to locate the names of the people owed money, then used their personal information to claim the funds.
Investigators said 29-year-old Tawana Scott was involved in the scheme but she was still at large.
Thomas faces up to 22 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
