A Laguna Beach man pleaded guilty Friday to stealing a $110,000 tax refund, which he spent on foreclosure debt and loans, according to an Orange County District Attorney press release.
Stephen Reginald McDow, 34, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 18 months of formal probation and is ordered to pay restitution. He pleaded guilty to charges of one felony count of theft of lost property with an enhancement for taking property worth more than $65,000.
The female victim, who goes by Michelle D. in court records, filed her 2009 federal income tax returns in August 2010 and expected to get a $110,000 refund, the release said. She requested that the refund be given via direct deposit in her back account.