A former tax return preparer from Haiti was handed a lengthy prison sentence for his role in a brazen stolen identity tax refund scheme that netted over $1.75 million.
Saul Frederick, 45, was sentenced on December 14, 2018, to 61 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,757,397 in restitution for his role in the scheme.
Frederick pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false claims and aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.
According to court records, Frederick worked as a tax return preparer with co-conspirators Hugues Jean Noel, Frandy Prophete, and Edy St. Jean at a tax preparation business called H&A Tax Multi-Service, LLC, located in North Miami, Florida.
The defendants used stolen personal identification information (PII) to prepare and file false federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax years 2009 and 2010.
Many of the individuals whose information was used died during tax years 2009 and 2010, and the defendants further sought refunds using fabricated employment and income information.
Frederick was apprehended in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 17, 2018, and was subsequently returned to the United States to face charges.
Co-conspirator Hugues Jean Noel was sentenced on April 17, 2018, to 75 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1.79 million in restitution.
Co-conspirator Frandy Prophete, 34, of Miami, was sentenced on April 16, 2013, to 61 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1.85 million in restitution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne and was the result of an investigation by the IRS-CI, the USSS, and the NMBPD.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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