Minneapolis Father and Son Indicted in Fraud Conspiracy

MINNEAPOLIS - U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today the unsealing of an indictment on June 11, 2026, charging a father and son with conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false claims for tax refunds. The father was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and proceedings, between approximately June 2022 and October 2024, LaMar Javis Burgess, 44, and his son, LaMar Dazjar Burgess, 23, of the Minneapolis area, prepared and filed false federal income tax returns for themselves and others claiming refund amounts they and the other taxpayers were not entitled to receive. Tax returns containing millions of dollars in false claims were allegedly filed by the conspirators.

During the course of the conspiracy, LaMar Javis Burgess allegedly sought and obtained videos and instruction manuals educating himself on how to file false federal tax returns, including a guide titled "TurboTax Sauce the 'Self-Employed' Way." He worked with his son and other conspirators to promote the tax fraud scheme. In exchange for filing false tax returns, he allegedly charged taxpayers a portion of their tax refunds as his fee.

The defendants allegedly solicited others to provide them with their names, addresses, social security numbers, photographic identification, and bank account information to prepare and file the false tax returns. The returns allegedly included employment and tax credit information they knew to be false.

The defendants allegedly prepared and filed false 2021 tax returns claiming refundable sick and family leave tax credits available to certain self-employed individuals unable to work due to COVID-19. They also allegedly prepared and filed false 2022 tax returns claiming certain refundable tax credits.

LaMar Javis Burgess allegedly was also found in possession of a Glock model 19, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.

LaMar Javis Burgess has prior convictions in Hennepin County for illegally possessing a firearm as a person who is prohibited from having one and fourth degree assault of a peace officer. He also has a prior felony conviction in the District of Minnesota for felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, because of these prior convictions, LaMar Javis Burgess is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

LaMar Javis Burgess and LaMar Dazjar Burgess were both charged with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States and six counts each of making false claims. LaMar Javis Burgess was also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, they face maximum penalties of ten years in prison for conspiracy and five years in prison for each count of making false claims. LaMar Javis Burgess also faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

The Court ordered LaMar Javis Burgess detained in federal custody pending trial, following his initial appearance and detention hearing.

"Fraud against the United States is a serious offense and those who fabricate returns or misuse information to enrich themselves will be held accountable. Our office remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of federal tax programs and protecting the public from those who seek to exploit them," said U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.

"This father and son duo turned filing fraudulent tax returns into a family business," said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. "False refund claims steal from every honest taxpayer who follows the law and pays their fair share. IRS-CI special agents will continue using their expertise in forensic accounting to expose tax fraud schemes and bring fraudulent tax preparers to justice."

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case, with assistance from FBI, HSI, ATF, Minneapolis Police Department, Fridley Police Department, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

Trial Attorney J. Parker Gochenour of the Criminal Division's Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Kline of the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.