Jason Hines, Tax Fraud, Illinois 2023

Riverton Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Fraud: Jason Hines, a 50-year-old tax preparer from Riverton, Illinois, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a tax fraud scheme that resulted in a state and federal tax loss of $194,910.00.

According to court documents, Hines willfully prepared fraudulent tax returns for 20 clients, often falsifying information pertaining to business property loss amounts and education credits. This scheme led to a significant financial loss for the state and federal governments.

The case against Hines began when a federal grand jury returned a twelve-count indictment against him in March 2020. He pleaded guilty to one count of false and fraudulent statements and one count of wire fraud in June 2022. Hines had remained on bond since his initial appearance in May 2020.

At the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Sue E. Myerscough considered the severity of Hines' crimes, taking into account the significant financial loss caused by his actions. Hines was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss.

The statutory penalties for the most serious count of conviction – wire fraud – carried a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to 36 months of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. Hines' actual sentence fell short of the maximum, but still reflects the severity of his crimes.

The case investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division and the Illinois Department of Revenue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass represented the government in the prosecution.

If you're looking for assistance in choosing reputable tax professionals or preparing tax returns, the official IRS website is a valuable resource. Visit https://www.irs.gov/help-resources for more information.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/riverton-tax-preparer-sentenced-federal-prison-tax-fraud