TAMPA — A woman known locally as the “First Lady” of tax refund fraud now faces a federal firearms charge.
Rashia Wilson, 26, is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court at 2:30 p.m. today, capping a muscular week of federal and local blows to Tampa’s tax fraud underground.
IRS-Criminal Investigations and the Tampa Police Department obtained warrants for at least 15 people this week after efforts by those agencies and others, including the Secret Service, to target pioneers of refund fraud.
Wilson’s boyfriend, Maurice “Thirst” Larry, and an associate, Marterrence “Quat” Holloway, were picked up Wednesday on a 39-count indictment that accused them of conspiring to defraud the federal government, wire fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Initially, Wilson was charged by Tampa Police with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Since 1998, she has been arrested more than three dozen times. Her state record includes felony convictions for grand theft and burglary.
She posted a $7,500 bond when arrested Wednesday and was released, only to be rearrested Friday by the U.S. Marshal Service.
Patty Ryan can be reached at pryan@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3382.
Article source: http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/self-described-first-lady-now-faces-federal-charge-in-tax-fraud-sting/1252719
