Congressmen request Mo Money hearing

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - In a letter to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, three congressmen called for a hearing into the actions of Mo Money Taxes.

Representatives Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and Scott Rigell (R-VA) penned the letter.

Below is the letter to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime Chairman.

Dear Chairman Sensenbrenner:

We write representing Congressional Districts in three states to request a hearing into the interstate activities of the tax preparation firm “Mo Money.” We believe that the firm has demonstrated that its operations pose a continuing threat to order and justice across the nation.

Many customers of “Mo Money” have complained to our offices about problems they have encountered in their dealings with the firm in recent weeks. Customers have complained that they assigned their refund from the IRS to Mo Money and that checks from Mo Money containing their refunds would then “bounce,” and Mo Money has not made good on the bounced checks. Other complaints include that they never received a refund at all, although the IRS records reflect that refunds were sent to Mo Money pursuant to the customers’ assignments; that Mo Money deducted additional fees from the refund check to which the customer had not agreed; and that Mo Money submitted tax returns to the IRS that were not authorized by the customer. The promise of immediate funds through refund anticipation loans or quick refund returns, only to end up with bounced checks or no checks, have left many customers in desperate straits, such their electricity being turned off, that they thought they were avoiding through their anticipated refunds.

Accordingly, we request that the Committee hold a hearing regarding customers’ complaints about Mo Money to bring greater attention to the problems citizens are encountering with the company. This will encourage greater caution to others and expeditious resolution of claims against the firm. Below is a sampling of articles and reports describing the problems the company’s practices have created.

In view of the gravity of these allegations and the number of people affected, we urge you to schedule a hearing soon to address this serious matter.

Sincerely,

ROBERT C. "BOBBY" SCOTT, Member of Congress
STEVE COHEN, Member of Congress
BENNIE THOMPSON, Member of Congress
SCOTT RIGELL, Member of Congress

-----------------------------------------

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs has also offered pro bono legal assistance to Mo Money customers who were left in financial straits by the company's actions. To contact the Washington Lawyers Committee call 202-319-1000.

Chris Amos with Norfolk Police says that this investigation has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.