Linda Lopez, a local tax preparer from McAllen, Texas, is set to make her initial appearance in federal court on charges of filing false tax returns on behalf of taxpayers.
According to a nine-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Brownsville on February 15, Lopez allegedly submitted to the IRS false and fraudulent Form 1040 tax returns and accompanying Form 2106, Form 2106-EZ, Schedule A and/or Form 5695 for tax years 2015 and 2016.
Lopez, the owner and operator of Premier Tax Solutions in Mission, is accused of including false or inflated unreimbursed employee business expenses on Form 2106/2106-EZ and Schedule A, as well as false or inflated residential energy credits on Form 5695.
The indictment alleges that these falsities resulted in the filing of tax returns to the IRS claiming refunds due to the taxpayers they otherwise were not entitled to receive.
McALLEN, Texas – If convicted, Lopez faces up to three years in prison and a possible $100,000 maximum fine for each count of conviction.
The IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Asha Natarajan prosecuting the case.
Lopez is expected to appear at 9:00 a.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- 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