Four Family Members Convicted of Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

Dec 12, 2025 · Sourced to the U.S. Department of Justice

This case reached the convicted stage in the Department of Justice's public record. Everything below reflects only what the government itself announced, and links to the original release.

A jury in Fort Worth, Texas convicted four family members yesterday of participating in a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme.

District

Northern Texas

Announced

Dec 12, 2025

Status

Convicted

Defendants

David Hunt — Arlington, Texas · convicted
Brandon Hunt — Arlington, Texas · convicted
Baylon Hunt — Arlington, Texas · convicted
Corey Burt — Long Beach, Mississippi · convicted

Charges

Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Max: 5 years in prisonDavid Hunt· convicted
Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Max: 5 years in prisonBrandon Hunt· convicted
Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Max: 5 years in prisonBaylon Hunt· convicted
Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Max: 5 years in prisonCorey Burt· convicted
Aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns
Max: 3 years in prison per countDavid Hunt· convicted
Aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns
Max: 3 years in prison per countBrandon Hunt· convicted
Aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns
Max: 3 years in prison per countCorey Burt· convicted
Aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns
Max: 3 years in prison per countBaylon Hunt· acquitted

Financial actions

fraud loss: $8.5 million — Tax refunds sought through false tax returns filed in names of purported trusts
fraud proceeds: $1.7 million — Refunds received from the IRS based on false tax returns filed
restitution — Monetary penalties, restitution, and supervised release faced at sentencing

From the announcement

“Fraudulent tax schemes such as this rob the federal fisc and the American taxpayers. This verdict rightly held all four defendants accountable for their roles in the criminal conduct – a result garnered by the diligent work of IRS-CI, the Tax Section of DOJ's Criminal Division, and those in my office to bring these individuals to justice.”

— Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, U.S. Department of Justice, Northern District of Texas

“Let this verdict serve as a warning: frivolous tax arguments have no merit and will not shield anyone from prosecution. Those who attempt to misuse the tax system through baseless claims and deceptive filings not only undermine public trust, but also face serious legal consequences. The women and men of IRS-CI remain steadfast in our mission to protect the integrity of the tax system and pursue those who seek to defraud it.”

— Christopher J. Altemus Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Dallas Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation

Investigating agencies

Internal Revenue Service Criminal InvestigationU.S. Marshals ServiceU.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of TexasDepartment of Justice Criminal Division, Tax Section

Case details

Prosecuting office: Northern District of Texas
Judge: Mark Pittman, U.S. District Judge

Aiding And Assisting In Preparation Of False Tax ReturnsConspiracy To Defraud The United StatesCryptocurrencyFrivolous Tax Arguments And Falsified DocumentsLaw Enforcement Investigation And CooperationProceeds Of Fraud And Luxury PurchasesTax Refund Fraud

Primary source

Every fact above is drawn from the Department of Justice's own announcement — a public-domain government record.

Read the original DOJ release →

This is a research and reference page compiled from public DOJ announcements, not legal advice. Details reflect the government's statements as of its release date and may not capture later developments such as appeals, dismissals, or overturned convictions. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.