Sharon Hill woman charged for her role in $2 million labor fraud scheme

PHILADELPHIA » Eight people including a Delaware County resident have been indicted in a $2.2 million fraud scheme involving identity theft, fictitious businesses and false tax returns.

The 53-count indictment alleges 23 counts each of mail fraud and filing false tax returns, as well as aiding and abetting and three counts each of aggravated identity theft and false statements.

The named defendants are Anthony Horton, 37, of Philadelphia; Aaron Horton, Jr., 39, formerly of Philadelphia; Thomas Gillis, 39, of Philadelphia; Faith Charlton, 34, of Philadelphia; Lynda Slaughter, 36, of Sharon Hill; and Marie “Kellie” Slaughter, 32, of Philadelphia. Another defendant, Rhameses Teal, has been charged elsewhere, the indictment states.

Federal prosecutors claim the scheme ran from Jan. 1, 2009, to March 24, 2014. The indictment identifies 13 fake businesses established with the state using stolen identities during that period.

The indictment says the businesses also filed documents with the commonwealth and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor to falsely report wages of fictitious employees. The defendants would then allegedly file fraudulent unemployment insurance compensation applications so they could collect benefits for the nonexistent employees. Prosecutors allege the unemployment benefits were paid out to debit cards and bank accounts controlled by the defendants and through hard-copy checks, according to the indictment.

The defendants also allegedly filed fraudulent tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service to receive a tax refund when no refund was due. Approximately 76 false and fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits were filed and more than 240 claims were filed or attempted to be filed with the IRS, according to the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz is prosecuting. If convicted, the defendants face substantial prison terms, as well as full restitution to the government, according to a release from the Justice Department. The commonwealth is seeking forfeiture of $2,276,722.

Federal prosecutors claim the scheme ran from Jan. 1, 2009, to March 24, 2014. The indictment identifies 13 fake businesses established with the state using stolen identities during that period.