PHILADELPHIA – Behind bars for three years is James Jean, 57, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, after he was sentenced today to prison for knowingly and willfully including false energy credits in tax forms that he prepared for paying customers.
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that James Jean was sentenced to three years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and restitution of $12,717 by United States District Judge John F. Murphy. This is the result of a scheme that Jean orchestrated during tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020, where he prepared at least 146 returns for his clients that falsely offset tax liabilities or claimed reimbursable credits for money allegedly spent on wind turbines, solar panels, or other energy improvements.
The false claims for credits were inserted by Jean to increase client refunds and client satisfaction. His actions caused his clients to understate their tax liabilities by more than $700,000. In September 2024, Jean pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, and admitted to filing the other 145 false returns, along with his own false returns for the same three tax years.
The investigation into Jean’s scheme was led by IRS Criminal Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Abrams handling the prosecution. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of tax honesty and the severe consequences that come with tax evasion.
According to the court documents, Jean’s actions were motivated by a desire to increase client satisfaction and refunds. However, his methods led to a significant loss of revenue for the government and potentially put his clients at risk for audit and penalties.
As Jean begins his three-year sentence, it serves as a warning to other tax preparers and individuals who engage in tax evasion schemes. The consequences are real, and the punishment can be severe. The public can rest assured that the authorities will continue to crack down on such schemes and bring perpetrators to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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