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Defendant Named in $203,000 Tax Fraud Scheme
NORFOLK, Va. – In a shocking turn of events, former manager of a now-closed, Virginia Beach-based tax preparation service, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for her involvement in a vast conspiracy to prepare false tax returns for unsuspecting customers.
Markita D. Simon, 32, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was at the helm of Express Tax Preparation Services, where she used her position to orchestrate the scheme. The scam ran from December 2014 to February 2016, during which time Simon deliberately falsified information in her customers’ tax returns to generate higher refund amounts.
The court documents reveal that Simon went as far as falsely stating that customers had dependent children in order to qualify them for beneficial tax credits. In some cases, she even used the names and social security numbers of real persons without their knowledge or consent.
Simon’s actions resulted in a staggering tax loss of approximately $203,000, leaving many to wonder how she managed to get away with it for so long. The scheme was eventually uncovered, and Simon was held accountable for her actions.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after the sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy C. Stoker prosecuted the case, bringing Simon to justice for her role in the conspiracy. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to tax preparation services and the severe consequences of perpetuating such schemes.
A copy of the press release can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are available on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:18-cr-149.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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