BOISE, ID – A husband and wife from Idaho are among five individuals indicted for allegedly conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by submitting false tax returns and fictitious financial instruments totaling approximately $57 million.
According to the indictment, between 2023 and 2024, Andrea and Kent Shannon of Kuna, Idaho; Brittany Plahm of Frankfort, Illinois; Monika Skinger of Chicago; and Sherita Chandler of Port St. Lucie, Florida, conspired to file false individual and trust tax returns that fraudulently claimed millions in refunds. To support their claims, the defendants submitted over 100 fake financial instruments—such as checks, money orders, or payment vouchers—to create the appearance of tax payments.
The Shannons, who are husband and wife, allegedly used some of the false refunds to purchase high-end vehicles, including a $90,000 Cadillac Escalade and a $144,000 GMC Sierra 3500.
All five defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Andrea and Kent Shannon face additional charges of wire fraud and filing false claims, while Kent Shannon is also charged with money laundering.
If convicted:
- All defendants face up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge.
- Andrea and Kent Shannon face up to 20 years for each wire fraud charge and up to 5 years for each false claim charge.
- Kent Shannon faces an additional 10 years for the money laundering charge.
The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations. Trial Attorney David F. Scollan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney Campbell for the District of Idaho are prosecuting the case.
