Petaluma Couple Indicted For Conspiracy To Defraud The United States

SAN FRANCISCO – Yesterday, a federal grand jury indicted Lara A. Karakasevic, AKA Lara Castle, and James C. Castle, AKA Chis Castle, with Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge José M. Martinez.

According to the Indictment, Karakasevic, 44, and her spouse, Castle, 49, both individually and doing business as TTF Consulting, LLC, are alleged to have prepared six false and fraudulent Forms 1099-OID that were used to file five false and fraudulent tax returns seeking refunds ranging from $83,948 to $537,884. Karakasevic was also indicted for filing a false 2005 Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

An Indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of five years prison time, and a fine of $250,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Cynthia Stier is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Ed Solis and IRS Special Agent James Quinn. The prosecution is the result of a four year investigation by the IRS.

(Karakasevic indictment )