DARVELL HALL, age 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a two-count Bill of Information with making false claims to an agency of the United States and Wire Fraud, announced United States Attorney Jim Letten.

According to the Bill of Information, HALL prepared, and caused to be prepared, taxes for individuals located throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area without their knowledge or authorization. To do this, HALL obtained personal information, including the name, date of birth, and Social Security Number, of individuals without their knowledge or permission, and he used this information to file unauthorized tax returns in the names of these individuals. Many of these individuals were either minors or then in incarceration. The individuals did not know HALL and did not authorize HALL to prepare or file a tax return using their name or on their behalf. HALL prepared and filed with the IRS, approximately forty-eight (48) United States Individual Tax Returns from March 2009 through in or about March 2011 resulting in an attempted loss to the Government of approximately $317,389. When preparing those forty-eight (48) tax returns, HALL included a variety of false statements and information designed to qualify the returns for various credits and refunds. HALL arranged to have the refunds electronically deposited into bank accounts under his control. He neither informed the individuals for whom he was filing tax returns that he was filing such returns, nor shared any of the refund with the individuals.

If convicted on Count 1 which charges the defendant with making false claims to an agency of the United States, HALL faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted of Count 2, Wire Fraud, HALL faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $250,000.

United States Attorney Letten reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.

(Download Bill of Information )

 

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