Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Phares, Cemetery Fraud, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Crystal Renee Severson, Skimmed Licensing Fees, GAULEY BRIDGE WV, 2026 · Virginia
- Crystal Severson, Embezzled Licensing Fees, Gauley Bridge WV, 2023 · Virginia
- Bradley Temple, Unlawful Money Transactions, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Crystal Severson, Embezzled Application Fees, Gauley Bridge WV, 2023 · Virginia
Former Tax Return Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Returns in Virginia
A Chester woman who worked as a tax return preparer from 2011 through 2015 has pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns in a Virginia court. Crystal Charmae Jackson, 44, admitted to conspiring with David Wayne Schneider to prepare and file false returns on behalf of clients that contained false entries as to clients’ Schedule C income, losses from small businesses, as well as clients’ dependents. These false entries resulted in the issuance of inflated refunds to the clients.
According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Jackson and Schneider prepared and filed false returns, which included false entries for clients’ Schedule C income, losses from small businesses, and dependents. This scheme resulted in the issuance of inflated refunds to the clients.
On many occasions, those fraudulently obtained refunds were deposited into the bank accounts of Zimmerman Bail Bonding, a company owned by Schneider. Schneider was sentenced to 24 months in prison in April 2016, and ordered to pay $515,104.74 in restitution to the IRS for losses resulting from his preparation of false tax returns.
Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to submit false claims, and making false claims. Jackson faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison when sentenced on September 12. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation was led by the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and was assisted by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dana J. Boente, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr., accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Moore is prosecuting the case. The case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division’s Tax Field Special Agent Program, which prioritizes the investigation and prosecution of tax crimes.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-155.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News