Golden Valley father, son admit $9.2M tax fraud
Father and son LaMar Javis Burgess, 44, and LaMar Dazjar Burgess, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minnesota to a tax-refund fraud conspiracy and face federal prison time.[1]
Prosecutors say the scheme ran from June 2022 to October 2024 and used at least 300 false federal returns to claim at least $9.2 million in refunds, including COVID-related sick and family-leave credits.[1] Clients were reportedly charged a $10,000 fee that was taken from the fraudulent refunds.[1] A search of the father's Golden Valley home turned up a stolen Glock 19, multiple high-capacity magazines and loose ammunition, and prosecutors say he is a prohibited felon.[1]
The Justice Department says the pleas are part of its first-ever national tax-fraud enforcement surge that has targeted 76 defendants and roughly $490 million in alleged tax losses.[2] Federal charging documents allege the Burgesses began submitting bogus returns in mid-2022 and continued through late 2024.[1]
Both men pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and sentencing dates have not yet been set.[1] Each faces up to 10 years on that count and up to 15 years on the firearm charge related to weapons found at the Golden Valley home.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Defendants: LaMar Javis Burgess, 44, and his son LaMar Dazjar Burgess, 24, pleaded guilty in federal court in Minnesota.
- Scheme ran from June 2022 to October 2024 and involved at least 300 false federal tax returns claiming at least $9.2 million in refunds, including COVID‑related sick and family‑leave credits.
- Clients were reportedly charged a $10,000 fee taken from their fraudulent refunds for filing the bogus returns.
- A search of the father’s Golden Valley home found a stolen Glock 19 handgun, a loaded 15‑round magazine, an extended high‑capacity magazine, a drum magazine and loose ammunition; he is a prohibited felon.
- The pleas are part of DOJ’s first‑ever national tax‑fraud enforcement surge, which officials say has targeted 76 defendants and about $490 million in alleged tax losses.
- Each man faces up to 10 years in prison on the conspiracy count and up to 15 years on the firearm charge; sentencing dates have not yet been set.
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