Tony V. Russell, Tax Evasion, New Jersey 2023
Tax Preparer Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Conspiring to File False Income Tax Returns
Tony V. Russell, 49, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by filing false income tax returns. Russell, a former employee of Tax Pro's and Tax Solutions & Associates, pleaded guilty to Count One of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to defraud the IRS.
According to documents filed in this and related cases, Russell, along with other members of the conspiracy, conspired to falsify their clients' federal income tax returns to generate refunds from the IRS in amounts that their clients were not entitled to receive. The defendants inflated tax refunds by fabricating and inflating credits for education and childcare; deductions, such as charitable contributions and unreimbursed employee expenses; and business losses.
The conspiracy, which began in 2009 and ended in April 2015, resulted in a total tax loss to the IRS in excess of $900,000. In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Russell to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $241,185.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Laura J. Perry, with the investigation leading to today's sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cari Fais and Jihee Suh of the Special Prosecutions Division.
This case is a reminder of the importance of integrity in the tax preparation industry. Taxpayers rely on tax preparers to accurately and honestly represent their financial information. When tax preparers engage in schemes to defraud the IRS, it undermines the trust and confidence in the tax system.
Russell's sentencing serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the tax system for personal gain.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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