FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
June 20, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10-cr-00228 OWW

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Mark A. Frantz, 53, of Visalia, pleaded guilty today to preparing false income tax returns.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Cullers is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, Frantz was a Certified Public Account and tax preparer with an office in Visalia. He assisted in the preparation of false personal income tax returns by inflating and fabricating deductions and expenses on many of the income tax returns prepared for his clients, specifically Schedule A deductions, Schedule C and Schedule E expenses. In addition, Frantz directed clients to secure blank receipts from charitable organizations so that he could use them to alter and falsely verify exaggerated non-cash donations.

Frantz is set for sentencing on August 29, 2011 before U.S. District Judge Oliver W. Wanger. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each violation. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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