Dick Reid Jenkins, Presenting False Claims to the United States, He…

SALT LAKE CITY – The grimy streets of Heber City, Utah, are echoing with charges against Dick Reid Jenkins. This licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is now staring down 18 counts of presenting false claims to the United States, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday.

Jenkins, the man behind the numbers, is accused of filing a stunning $402,920 refund claim for his own 2007 income tax return in September 2008. Just months later, he doubled down with a false amended 2004 return, falsely claiming another $434,261. Both claims were fueled by falsified Form 1099-OID, Original Issue Discount forms.

But Jenkins’ scheme didn’t stop there. From September 2008 to February 2009, he is alleged to have orchestrated the filing of sixteen other fraudulent federal income tax returns on behalf of others, all using similar false Form 1099-OID claims. The total refund sought through these schemes was a staggering $8,407,623.

Despite his professional title, Jenkins’ actions have painted him as nothing less than a financial predator. His actions took place at a time when he held a valid license from the state of Utah as a Certified Public Accountant, adding to the gravity of his charges.

As with all indictments, this is not a conviction. Jenkins is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The investigation into Jenkins’ alleged fraud was led by the IRS-Criminal Investigation division, and the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorneys Stuart Wexler and Michael Romano are now prosecuting the case.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for financial devastation that can come from white-collar crime, and it underscores the critical role law enforcement plays in sniffing out and bringing to justice those who would exploit the system for their own gain.