Orlando Tax Return Preparers Indicted
Orlando, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, two tax return preparers have been indicted for their involvement in a scheme to falsify tax returns and evade personal tax payments.
According to the indictments, Fane Dacosta (39, Daytona Beach) and Obnes Latigue (50, Orlando) were involved in preparing tax returns that contained false deduction amounts and tax credits, resulting in undeserved tax refunds for their clients.
Dacosta has been charged with 25 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns and 3 counts of failing to file his personal tax returns, despite receiving more than $100,000 in gross income each year for three consecutive years. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison for each count of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns and 1 year in federal prison for each count of failing to file his personal tax returns.
Latigue, on the other hand, has been charged with 23 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison for each count.
The cases were investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
Dacosta and Latigue were arrested yesterday, and their cases serve as a reminder of the importance of honest tax preparation and the consequences of tax evasion.
Defendant Information:
- Defendant: Fane Dacosta
- Charge: 25 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, 3 counts of failing to file personal tax returns
- City and State: Orlando, Florida
- Date: April 10, 2013
- Sentence: Pending
- Dollar Amount: $100,000 (gross income per year)
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime