Justice Department · Friday, September 4, 2026
Seven charged in alleged $57 million IRS tax-refund fraud scheme
The File desk · Sep 4, 2026, 12:04 PM UTC
Status
Confirmed as allegations in a superseding indictment announced by DOJ on Sept. 3, 2026. An indictment is an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent.
On Sept. 3, 2026, DOJ said a superseding indictment was unsealed charging Andrea and Kent Shannon of Kuna, Idaho, and five others with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and related counts for allegedly filing over 100 fictitious returns/financial instruments and claiming more than $57 million in refunds, with more than $8 million allegedly received from the IRS (2023–2024). Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald (National Fraud Enforcement Division) announced. An indictment is an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent. PR 26-1018. IRS-CI investigating.
Justice Department OPA, Thursday, September 3, 2026, press release 26-1018: “A superseding indictment was unsealed yesterday charging an Idaho man and woman and five non-Idaho residents with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making false claims and money laundering.”
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald, as quoted: “As alleged, this group of fraudsters participated in a $57 million tax fraud scheme, filing over 100 fictious returns and ultimately receiving more than $8 million in taxpayer dollars from the IRS.” The release names Andrea and Kent Shannon of Kuna, Idaho, Monika Skinger of Chicago, Sherita Chandler of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Saule Moshkanova of Roseville, California, Tiffany Nichols of Suwanee, Georgia, and Stacey Rice of Manteca, California. The alleged period is 2023 through 2024.
“IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.” The release states: “An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” No trial schedule is in the release. No convictions are claimed.
What is still unknown or disputed
- No convictions. Trial schedule is not in the release.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
Seven Charged in $57M Tax Refund Fraud Scheme
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs · September 3, 2026
A superseding indictment was unsealed yesterday charging an Idaho man and woman and five non-Idaho residents… As alleged… filing over 100 fictious returns and ultimately receiving more than $8 million… Press Release Number: 26-1018. An indictment is merely an allegation.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/seven-charged-57m-tax-refund-fraud-scheme