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Press Release

Atlanta Tax Return Preparer Sentenced For Filing False Tax Returns

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia

 Defendant Filed False Tax Returns Claiming Over $1.2 Million in Bogus Refunds

ATLANTA – Eugene Gibbons was sentenced today to serve over three years in federal prison for filing false tax returns that claimed over $1.2 million in fraudulent refunds.

 “This defendant’s persistence in filing fraudulent tax returns despite knowing the consequences does not compare to the persistence of law enforcement in seeing through his lies and requiring him to face justice for his fraud,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

“At the IRS, protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take extremely serious,” stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.   “An integral part of the agency’s mission involves detecting and catching fraudulent refund claims.  We identified and investigated the filing of false tax returns submitted by Eugene Gibbons, and as a result of his actions, he will serve time in jail.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court:  Gibbons prepared fraudulent federal income tax returns at a tax preparation business named C&M Tax Service from 2002 through 2009.  On the tax returns, Gibbons claimed fraudulent deductions, expenses, and credits, which resulted in his clients receiving fraudulent refunds.  Gibbons then received monetary fees from those clients who he helped obtain fraudulent refunds.  In total, Gibbons prepared tax returns claiming over $1.2 million in false and fraudulent refunds. 

Gibbons admitted that he started filing fraudulent tax returns shortly after he was released from prison where he was serving a sentence for a previous conviction for filing false federal tax returns.

Gibbons, 65, of Atlanta, Ga., was sentenced today by United States District Judge Willis B. Hunt, Jr. to three years, six months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $1,286,486.50 in restitution to the United States Treasury.  Gibbons pleaded guilty on July 31, 2012, to two counts of aiding and abetting in the preparation of false tax returns.             

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas J. Krepp and Steven D. Grimberg are prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.

Updated April 8, 2015