HOUSTON, Texas – Tax return preparers Marlin Jermaine Beckett and Gia Cooper Beckett have been ordered to prison for making up deductions that resulted in approximately $360,000 in fraudulent client refunds.
According to the United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson and Lucy Cruz, special agent in charge of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the couple pleaded guilty in April 2013.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nancy F. Atlas handed Marlin Beckett a 36-month sentence to be followed by a one-year-term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $196,923 in restitution to the IRS. Gia Beckett will be on probation for three years and must pay another $163,441 in restitution.
The court further ordered neither person to prepare any more tax returns except their own.
“One of the IRS’s main objectives is to ensure that all tax practitioners and preparers adhere to professional standards and follow the law,” said Cruz. “CI’s efforts to deter refund fraud are critical to overall tax compliance; our special agents play a valuable role by identifying, investigating and recommending prosecution of abusive return preparers. As we approach tax filing season, we remind taxpayers to be very diligent when deciding who they select to prepare their returns.”
The Becketts are husband and wife tax return preparers and were charged in separate, but related cases. According to the factual basis in support of their respective pleas, they each admitted they claimed false business mileage deductions for local clients that fraudulently increased tax refunds by approximately $360,000 for tax years 2006 through 2009.
Originally released on bond, Marlin Beckett was recently taken into custody when further investigation of his activities revealed he continued to prepare tax returns in violation of his bond conditions. At least one of those tax returns had the same kind of false deductions that had led to his conviction.
FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT MARLIN BECKETT CONTINUED TO PREPARE TAX RETURNS AFTER BEING RELEASED ON BOND. THIS LED TO THE PROSECUTION OF YEVEETTE LAUREN WALTON AND LAKISHA LASHELL RODGERS FOR THEIR ROLE IN A LOCAL STOLEN IDENTITY REFUND SCHEME.
Defendant: Marlin Jermaine Beckett and Gia Cooper Beckett
Criminal Charges: Falsifying Client Tax Returns
City and State: Houston, Texas
Exact Date: April 2013 (plea) and April 2013 (sentencing)
Sentence: Marlin Beckett: 36 months prison term and $196,923 restitution; Gia Beckett: three years probation and $163,441 restitution
Dollar Amounts: $360,000 in fraudulent client refunds, $196,923 restitution, and $163,441 restitution
Related Federal Cases
- Lawrence Michael Day, Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud, Tax Fraud, Texas 2008 · Texas
- Lourdes Ramirez, Tax Fraud, Texas 2014 · Texas
- Brian Perez, Wire Fraud and Tax Evasion, Texas 2015 · Texas
- Christopher Hatton, Tax Fraud, Texas 2015 · Texas
- Oscar Simon Ndereva, Wire Fraud, Texas 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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