Press Release
FORMER MIAMI RETURN PREPARER PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX PREPARATION FRAUD SCHEME
May 15, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announced that defendant Caprice Battle, 36, of Miami, pled guilty today, to making and filing fraudulent tax refund claims, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 287 and 2. Defendant Battle remains on bond pending sentencing. At sentencing, Battle faces up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for August 17, 2009 in Miami, FL, before Judge Joan A. Lenard.
According to court documents and statements made during the plea hearing, Battle was hired as an assistant manager at Jackson Hewitt in Miramar, FL. While working at Jackson Hewitt, Battle prepared and submitted tax returns to the IRS on behalf of herself and her clients, claiming approximately $51,636 in fraudulent tax refunds. Specifically, Battle submitted tax returns containing false income amounts, and submitted false Forms W-2s containing either fake employer information or inflated wage amounts in order to generate fraudulent tax refunds. The clients interviewed during the investigation stated they provided their correct Form W-2 to Battle. Different Form W-2s were submitted with the tax returns on their behalf.
Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lois Foster-Steers.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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