Law Enforcement

Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Fraudulent Chicagoland Tax Return Business

Markham, Illinois Preparers Allegedly Fabricate Credits and Deductions

The United States has filed a complaint seeking to permanently bar Markham, Illinois tax preparer Patricia Rivers, her daughter-in-law, Ki’esha M. Gary, and Rivers’s business, Alpha II Omega Tax, from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced on June 5.

Justice Department Files Its First Enforcement Action Against COVID-19 Fraud

Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against Website Offering Fraudulent Coronavirus Vaccine

The Department of Justice announced on March 22 that it has taken its first action in federal court to combat fraud related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The enforcement action filed on March 22 in Austin against operators of a fraudulent website follows Attorney General William Barr’s recent direction for the department to prioritize the detection, investigation, and prosecution of illegal conduct related to the pandemic.

Brooklyn Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Preparing Fraudulent Returns

A Brooklyn, New York, tax return preparer was sentenced to 15 months in prison for preparing false returns for his clients and himself, on March 6, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York.

Oklahoma Business Owner Indicted for Tax Fraud

A federal grand jury in Tulsa, Oklahoma, returned an indictment last Wednesday charging a Bristow, Oklahoma, business owner with filing false tax returns, on March 6, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Founder of Russian Bank Charged with Tax Fraud

Allegedly Concealed $1 Billion in Assets and Income when Renouncing U.S. Citizenship

The founder of a Russian bank was arrested last week in London in connection with an indictment charging him with filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson for the Northern District of California, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter. The Sept. 26, 2019, indictment was unsealed on March 5.

Former Forsyth County Commissioner Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

A former Forsyth County Commissioner pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns and failing to file a tax return, on March 4, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Nevada Fraudster Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Role in Scheme to File False Tax Returns Using Stolen Identities

A Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 65 months in prison for his role in a stolen identity tax fraud, on March 4, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.

Former Virginia Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Returns

A former tax return preparer in Roanoke, Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, on March 3, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen for the Western District of Virginia.

Former Senior Alstom Executive Sentenced to Prison for Role in Money Laundering Scheme to Promote Foreign Bribery

A former senior executive with Alstom S.A. (Alstom), a French power and transportation company, was sentenced in federal court in New Haven, Connecticut, to 15 months in prison on March 6,2020 for his role in a multi-year, multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme designed to promote violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Former Virginia Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Returns

A former tax return preparer in Roanoke, Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, on March 3, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen for the Western District of Virginia.