A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against a former IRS employee in Fresno last month for aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent tax returns.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott.

Suspect Angela Milton, 35, was arrested and arraigned in Sacramento in mid-July.

According to court documents, between 2007 and 2014, Milton worked as a tax-examining technician at the IRS in Fresno. Between 2010 and 2013, Milton allegedly prepared and filed false and fraudulent federal income tax returns for herself and others. She reportedly added false information that she knew would increase the amount of the refund.

For some tax returns, and without authorization of the taxpayer, Milton claimed a split refund with part of the refund amount going to the taxpayer and the remaining refund directly deposited into accounts to which Milton had access. For other taxpayers, Milton filed a tax return without their knowledge or consent and caused the entire refund amount to be deposited into accounts to which Milton had access. As a result, she is alleged to have defrauded the IRS of more than $170,000.

Investigations on the matter were conducted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of the Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Milton faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.