Sarasota residents admit to tax scam

TAMPA — Sarasota County residents James Dee Jaeger and Lora Anne Jaeger admitted to their roles in a tax scam that authorities say initially involved 15 fraudulent tax returns that sought $2.58 million in refunds.

James Dee Jaeger, 62, and Lora Anne Jaeger, 50, both of North Port, each pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false claim for tax refund, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office. Each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison.

The Jaegers were initially charged with an additional seven counts of causing false and fraudulent claims for tax refunds filed with the IRS. In the plea agreement, each defendant admitted to jointly filing a federal income tax return with the IRS that falsely claimed a $344,672 refund.