Freeman Klopott, The Examiner
2008-07-22 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

Patricia A. Steven, 73, of Harwood, Md., became the eighth defendant to plead guilty in the D.C. property tax fraud scheme Monday, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod Rosenstein said.

According to her plea agreement, Steven used fake checks given to her by a District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue Authority employee to steal nearly $9 million between June 1990 and November 2007, although she admitted the total loss due to her role in the operation could have been as high as $20 million.

During that time she purchased at least four Jaguar cars, at least two residential properties, and diamonds and other jewelry worth more than $150,000. She cashed District checks ranging from $3,559 to $490,000.

Sources tell The Examiner  that the scheme might have cost taxpayers $50 million over two decades.

Steven faces up to 30 years in prison and heavy fines.

fklopott@dcexaminer.com