Fontrice Lenee Charles, a 39-year-old tax preparer from Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been found guilty of 27 felony tax charges. The charges stem from her business, ‘#1 Tax Lady,’ where she allegedly filed multiple phony tax returns for her clients.
The jury found Charles guilty of 25 counts of filing false tax returns on behalf of her clients between January 17, 2011 and February 4, 2014. Each of these counts carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and other penalties.
The evidence presented in court showed that Charles supplied false information designed to ensure hefty refunds. Further, the jury was advised that Charles prepared a total of 967 such tax returns during this period, resulting in improper tax refunds of approximately $4,000,000.
The jury also found Charles guilty of filing her own false tax returns for 2010 and 2011. These returns were false because they did not report the income that Charles earned as a result of her fraudulent tax preparation activity, and because she claimed a deceased person as a dependent. Each of these offenses carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Charles will be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney at a future date. Prosecution of the matter was handled by Timothy VerHey, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The investigation into Charles’s activities was led by the Grand Rapids office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Fontrice Lenee Charles, a Kalamazoo tax preparer, was found guilty of 27 felony tax charges.
Defendant: Fontrice Lenee Charles
Criminal Charges: 25 counts of filing false tax returns on behalf of clients, filing her own false tax returns for 2010 and 2011
City and State: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Exact Date: January 17, 2011 – February 4, 2014
Sentence or Outcome: Found guilty, pending sentencing
Dollar Amounts: $4,000,000 in improper tax refunds
Related Federal Cases
- Elsayed Kazem Safiedine, Tax Fraud, Michigan 2001 · Michigan
- Lahai Charles, Wire Fraud, Michigan 2024 · Illinois
- Jerry M. Stauffer, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Michigan 2009 · Iowa
- John Irving Wheeler, Identity Theft and State Income Tax Fraud, Alabama 2013 · Michigan
- Andrew Helsel, Conspiracy to Commit Financial Institution Fraud, Michigan 2023 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- 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