Marin Co. Woman Arrested For Alleged Fraud, False Tax Returns

MARIN COUNTY, CA - A Novato woman has been indicted for allegedly preparing and filing fraudulent federal income tax returns, the U.S. District Attorney's Office said Thursday.

Parnian Djafarzadeh was indicted April 21 on 21 counts alleging possession of stolen mail, false claims, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch said. She was arrested by federal IRS agents this morning, IRS Special Agent Arlette Lee said.

Djafarzadeh, also known as Parnian Clark and Saundra Djafarzadeh, electronically prepared and filed 2010 and 2011 federal income tax returns in the names of a dozen people who were not entitled to tax refunds, according to the indictment.

The total amount of the refunds she allegedly requested on 14 income tax returns was $78,755, according to the indictment. Djafarzadeh made false representations including filing status, dependents, income and credits, according to the indictment.

On or about Jan. 24, 2012 she allegedly had in her possession a check addressed to a neighbor on Loleta Lane in Novato, that had been stolen from a post office or letter box, according to the indictment.

The three identity theft counts in the indictment allege she possessed the names and social security numbers of three people. Fourteen of the counts are for filing false claims, three are for wire fraud and one count alleges possession of stolen mail.

Djafarzadeh is in custody pending a detention hearing May 10 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

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--Bay City News/File photo