A Nevada woman was sentenced on April 7 to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to defraud the United States by fraudulently claiming nearly $100 million in COVID-19 related employment tax credits.
The Department of Justice announced this case as part of efforts supported by President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The sentencing highlights ongoing federal actions against fraudulent use of pandemic relief programs intended for struggling businesses.
According to court documents, Candies Goode-McCoy, formerly of Las Vegas, conspired with others from June 2022 through September 2023 to file more than 1,200 false tax returns. These filings sought refunds totaling over $98 million using the employee retention credit and paid sick and family leave credit. The Internal Revenue Service paid out about $33 million due to the scheme. Goode-McCoy personally received more than $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds and collected approximately $800,000 from clients for preparing false returns. She used these funds on vacations, luxury cars, other goods, and gambling at casinos.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”
Goode-McCoy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims and was ordered by the court to pay over $26 million in restitution.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah participated in announcing this case’s outcome. The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; prosecution was handled by Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez.
The Justice Department includes a workforce exceeding 115,000 employees operating across all states as well as internationally according to its official website. It focuses on upholding law enforcement nationwide while safeguarding civil rights as detailed online. Merrick Garland has served as its attorney general since March 11, 2021 according to official records, overseeing significant prosecutions including major cases such as Oklahoma City bombing proceedings as per department information.
