Christopher Hatton, Filing False Tax Return, Texas 2019

A Houston man has been convicted of filing a false joint 2015 tax return, claiming a refund of more than $15,000.

Christopher Hatton, 46, pleaded guilty to the crime, admitting that he falsely inflated the amount of federal income tax withholdings and unreimbursed employee expenses on his joint 2015 income tax return.

According to the plea agreement, Hatton falsely claimed $38,000 in withholdings and $38,000 in unreimbursed employee expenses.

Hatton's tax return claimed a false income tax refund of more than $15,000 when he actually owed more than $18,000 in income taxes for the year.

When audited, Hatton provided altered form W-2 and altered bank statements to support the false amounts claimed on his 2015 tax return.

He also admitted to filing tax returns for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016, claiming false items.

The total tax loss caused by Hatton was in excess of $126,000.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas accepted the guilty plea, and sentencing is set for July 17, 2019.

Hatton faces up to three years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending the hearing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/man-convicted-filing-false-tax-return