Three Men Sentenced to Prison in Multimillion Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

# Three Family Members Sentenced in $8.5 Million Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

Three family members were sentenced to prison on March 26, 2026, following convictions in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme. David Hunt received 92 months, his son Baylon Hunt was sentenced to 38 months, and Corey Burt received 94 months. A fourth family member convicted at trial is scheduled for sentencing in May.

The defendants, based in Arlington, Texas and Long Beach, Mississippi, orchestrated a scheme to file false tax returns under the names of purported trusts they controlled, seeking more than $8.5 million in fraudulent refunds. They submitted fake documents to the IRS, including falsified financial instruments and altered money orders. Even after receiving warning letters, they continued their illegal filings. The group obtained over $1.7 million in fraudulent proceeds, which they used to purchase luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, furniture, and real estate.

All four defendants were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States. David Hunt, Burt, and the fourth defendant were additionally convicted of multiple counts of aiding and assisting in preparing false tax returns. The court ordered the defendants to pay $1,774,864 in restitution to the United States.