TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida prison guard is facing allegations she obtained inmates' names and social security numbers from a state data base for use in a tax fraud scheme.

A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Kimberly Nakia Lewis of Sneads resigned upon being arrested Friday on federal charges of making false claims, wire and mail fraud and identity theft.

Co-defendant Christopher Lamont Shorter of Quincy is facing similar charges.

An indictment returned in Tallahassee alleges Lewis gave the information to Shorter who filed bogus tax returns in the
prisoners' names. Refunds allegedly were sent to Shorter's tax business.

A lawyer for Lewis did not immediately return a call seeking comment. An attorney for Shorter declined comment.

Five people were indicted in Pensacola last month in a similar scheme. None are prison employees.
     
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