United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

EAST HARTFORD TAX PREPARER SENTENCED TO 14 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA CINTRON, 45, of Cavan Road, East Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for assisting in the preparation of numerous fraudulent federal tax returns.  On January 14, 2010, CINTRON pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing a false tax return.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2005 and 2009, CINTRON and employees of her tax preparation business prepared and filed returns for clients that improperly included deductions for nonexistent or inflated expenses, such as uniform costs, and inflated charitable contributions.  CINTRON and her employees also prepared false returns claiming improper entitlement to Earned Income Tax Credits.  During these years, CINTRON was the principal owner and operator of a tax preparation business known as PR Family LLC a/k/a PR Family Multiservices LLC, and formerly known as Wintax Now LLC, located at 67 Burnside Avenue, Unit 3, in East Hartford.  Federal law enforcement officials conducted a search at that address and CINTRON’s residence on April 15, 2009.

Internal Revenue Service audits revealed that, between 2005 and 2007, CINTRON and her employees assisted in the preparation of approximately 183 false tax returns resulting in an overpayment of improper refunds to her customers of approximately $505,339 in income taxes.

“As we approach the federal tax filing deadline, this case should serve an important reminder that tax preparers and taxpayers who cheat the government face federal prosecution and incarceration,” U.S. Attorney Dannehy stated.  “And individuals who use tax preparation services also must be cautious and truthful, as the law requires each of us to sign our name to an accurate return, regardless of who prepares it.”

CINTRON has agreed to the entry of a permanent injunction that will bar her from preparing tax returns in the future.  She also must pay to the Internal Revenue Service a sum to be determined as the result of her fraudulently filing her own and others’ personal income tax returns.  CINTRON has placed $125,000 in an escrow account to satisfy the judgment.

CINTRON’s clients are responsible for resolving their own tax liabilities with the Internal Revenue Service.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov