Rochester Tax Trio Faces Fraud Charges

ROCHESTER, NY – Three Rochester residents are facing federal charges after allegedly running a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, according to Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. The trio – Jason Jimenez, 38, Jessica Rosario, 36, and Ashley Walker, 32 – were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to defraud the IRS and preparing fraudulent tax returns.

The operation, dubbed “Fast Cash Tax,” was allegedly overseen by Jimenez between 2012 and 2015. Rosario and Walker worked as tax preparers at the service, and prosecutors claim they knowingly inflated clients’ earnings on tax returns to secure larger refunds. The scheme came to light after multiple customers alerted law enforcement to discrepancies in their filings.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Marangola stated the complaint details how fraudulent information was deliberately included on returns, boosting refund amounts. This wasn’t a case of simple errors; it was a calculated effort to cheat the system and line the pockets of those involved. The IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division led the probe, uncovering what they believe to be a systematic pattern of deception.

The defendants made their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian Payson and were released pending a status conference scheduled for March 24, 2017. If convicted on the charges, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. That’s a hefty price to pay for playing fast and loose with the tax code.

Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kathy A. Enstrom of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division emphasized that tax fraud is a serious offense. “Those who intentionally defraud the government will be held accountable,” she stated. The IRS takes these matters seriously, and this case sends a clear message that they will pursue those who attempt to evade their tax obligations.

It’s crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this stage. As the U.S. Attorney’s office rightly points out, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence presented thus far paints a troubling picture of a deliberate attempt to defraud both the government and unsuspecting taxpayers. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.