Tax Scammer Banned in Florida

Wilfrid Antoine, a former franchisee of LBS Tax Services and owner of AWA Tax Services, has been permanently barred from owning or operating a tax return preparation business and from preparing federal tax returns for others in Florida, according to a federal court order.

A permanent injunction order was signed by Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, following a complaint filed by the United States in September 2014. Antoine’s businesses allegedly targeted low-income customers with deceptive and misleading advertisements, preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns to increase customers’ refunds, and profiting through unconscionable, exorbitant and often undisclosed fees.

The complaint alleged that Antoine’s preparers engaged in various fraudulent activities, including falsely claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, claiming improper filing status, fabricating businesses and related business income and expenses, fabricating Schedule A deductions, falsely claiming the fuel tax credit, and charging deceptive and unconscionable fees.

According to the complaint, Antoine was a franchisee of LBS Tax Services, which operated under the name ‘AWA Tax Services’ in 2014. Since September 2014, the United States has filed nine similar lawsuits in Florida against the former LBS Tax Services franchisor Walner Gachette and 12 former LBS franchisees and managers, many of whom rebranded and continued to operate tax preparation businesses.

Other individuals, including Douglas Mesadieu, Jean Demesmin, Kerny Pierre-Louis, Demetrius Scott, Jason Stinson, Tonya Chambers, Jehoakim Victor, Lauri Rodriguez, Milot Odne, Alexander Baraz, and Christopher Lawrence, have also been sued for similar tax preparation scams. In some cases, these individuals have agreed to preliminary injunctions barring them from tax return preparation.

The IRS has warned the public about return preparer fraud, which was included in the Internal Revenue Service’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2015. The IRS provides tips for choosing a tax preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. If you believe one of the enjoined individuals or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

Wilfrid Antoine’s permanent injunction order sets a precedent for other tax scam operators in Florida, as the United States continues to crack down on tax preparation businesses that engage in deceptive and fraudulent practices.

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