James J. Sirleaf, Filing False Tax Returns, Pennsylvania 2023

Grimy Times has learned that a local tax preparer has been sentenced to prison for his role in a scheme to file false tax returns for clients and himself.

James J. Sirleaf, 65, of Darby, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $219,622, and an $1,800 special assessment by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond.

Sirleaf was the sole owner and operator of Metro Financial Services Inc., a tax preparation business in Philadelphia. He prepared false and fraudulent Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Forms 1040, or U.S. Individual Tax Returns, for client taxpayers for at least tax years 2016 through 2019.

As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, Sirleaf included falsities on the tax returns — including false deductions, fabricated business expenses, and/or false dependent information — resulting in tax calculations lower than what the clients actually owed.

In addition to filing false returns for clients, Sirleaf also filed false returns for himself for tax years 2017 through 2019, failing to fully report his income, which resulted in an additional tax loss to the IRS.

The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger. The posting of this press release was delayed, due to the federal government shutdown from October 1, 2025, to November 12, 2025.

The tax loss caused by Sirleaf’s actions totals $219,622. His sentencing is a significant blow to those who would seek to cheat the system and line their own pockets with ill-gotten gains.

As the Grimy Times continues to investigate this case, we will provide updates on any new developments.

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