Show-Me State Times

A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in two separate fraudulent schemes involving false statements to a financial institution and preparing fraudulent tax returns.

Bianca Cobbins, 42, admitted to charges that included two counts of making a false statement to a financial institution and five counts of aiding in the preparation of a false tax return.

According to court documents, Cobbins obtained personal information from a victim in December 2019. She used this information to create a fraudulent driver’s license featuring the victim’s details but with another individual’s photograph. Cobbins and Quanisha Capelton then used the fake license to open a checking account at a local bank.

After opening the account, Cobbins created fake paystubs that claimed the victim worked for a healthcare company in Kansas City. The paystubs falsely showed direct deposit into the newly opened account. Using these documents, Cobbins and Capelton applied for a consumer loan at the same financial institution.

Cobbins acknowledged as part of her plea agreement that her actions resulted in an intended loss of at least $36,128.32. Quanisha Capelton had previously been charged, convicted, and sentenced for her role in using the victim’s personal information.

In addition to the bank fraud scheme, Cobbins admitted she prepared false federal tax returns over several years as a professional tax preparer. For tax years 2018 through 2023, she knowingly submitted returns with fraudulent Schedule C forms that falsely reported business profits or losses. This was done to maximize clients’ Earned Income Credit refunds.

Cobbins agreed that she prepared at least 55 false federal tax returns, causing an actual loss of at least $312,656.00.

Federal law allows for up to 30 years in prison without parole for each count related to making false statements to a financial institution and up to three years for each count of aiding in preparing false tax returns. However, sentencing will be determined by the court based on guidelines and other statutory factors after completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

"This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas P. Heberle. It was investigated by the United States Secret Service, IRS-CI, and the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department."