Federal agents today raided the Lewiston office of a behavioral health provider that has been implicated in a tax fraud investigation.
Between 15 and 20 agents entered the Bright Future Healthier You office with warrants around 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to a person who works in the building and asked to remain anonymous.
The witness said many of the agents were wearing vests emblazoned with the letters HSI, the acronym for Homeland Security Investigations.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Several people associated with the company are under investigation for allegedly defrauding the IRS through false tax returns for interpreter services.
One of those defendants, Rakiya Mohamed, pleaded guilty last week to filing a false tax return and interfering with the administration of federal tax laws.
According to the Bangor Daily…
This involves defrauding the state or using government systems to steal from individuals.
- Tax Identity Theft: A criminal uses your ID and income details to file a tax return in your name and claim a refund before you do.
- Grant/Benefit Fraud: Falsely claiming unemployment, disability, or social grants that the perpetrator is not entitled to.