Related Federal Cases
- Letitia James Secures Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Administ… · Vermont
- Richard D. Gooding, Bank Heist, Maine, 2023 · New York
- Thomas E. Delahanty II, Election Fraud Crackdown, Maine, 2016 · Washington
- Amanda Ouellette, Tax Evasion, ME 2013 · Massachusetts
- Joel A. Sabean, Tax Evasion and Health Care Fraud, ME 2024 · Texas
Donna L. Hamilton, Tax Return Preparer Injunction, Maine 2007
In a shocking case of tax evasion, Donna L. Hamilton, a tax return preparer from Maine, has been permanently barred from preparing federal tax returns. The U.S. Court in Maine issued a permanent injunction order against Hamilton, following a complaint filed by the government.
According to the government complaint, Hamilton operated a tax return preparation service under the name East Coast Accounting from her mother’s residence in Topsham, Maine. She allegedly purchased the business from her mother, Carol East Palesky, who had previously operated a business that provided tax return preparation and other accounting services under the name East Accounting Associates.
The court also ordered Hamilton to provide her customer lists to the government and to mail copies of the court order to her customers. Hamilton consented to the civil injunction order. The government complaint alleges that Hamilton prepared approximately 82 returns during the 2006 and 2007 filing seasons.
The government complaint also alleges that Hamilton prepared federal tax returns during the 2005 filing season but did not sign any of the returns. The complaint further alleges that the IRS estimates a potential $123,000 loss to the U.S. Treasury.
According to the complaint, Hamilton fabricated and/or inflated deductions relating to employees’ business expenses, capital losses, and education credits. One example in the complaint asserts that Hamilton reported a $1,000 education credit on her customers’ tax return even though the customers had never provided her with any information that would suggest that they were enrolled in college or had incurred any educational expenses during the tax.
Donna L. Hamilton’s actions have been widely condemned by tax experts and law enforcement officials. ‘This case highlights the importance of being vigilant when it comes to tax return preparation,’ said Acting Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco. ‘The Justice Department will continue to take action against those who engage in fraudulent activities.’
The Justice Department has obtained injunctions against more than 375 tax return preparers and tax-fraud promoters over the past decade. Information about the Justice Department’s Tax Division and its efforts to stop fraudulent return preparers is available on the Justice Department Web site.
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
