YOUNGSTOWN — Two Youngstown men are among three indicted Thursday in an Internal Revenue Service investigation into fraudulent federal income tax returns.

Charged are Brandon R. Mace, 43, and Robert J. Rohrbaugh II, 47, both of Youngstown, and Terris Chanley Baker, 49, of Canton. The three face charges of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, aiding and abetting theft of government property, aiding and abetting false claims against the U.S. and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The case was announced in a news release prepared by U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman’s office.

According to the indictment, from March 2015 to April 2016, the defendants conspired together to submit fraudulent federal income tax returns in the names of various fictitious entities to the IRS in order to obtain refunds, with one government check totaling $1.35 million in the name of a fictitious business.

After obtaining the large refund, the indictment said the defendants then allegedly tried to launder the money by buying luxury vehicles. Herdman stated the defendants created phony business entities, trusts, employer identification numbers and prepared fraudulent income tax return documents, which reported large withholdings that never existed.

The investigation was conducted by the IRS – Criminal Investigation Unit. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan R. Miller.

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