Press Release
Contact:
JULIE ANN WOODS
ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY
PHONE: (616) 456-2404
BATTLE CREEK TAX RETURN PREPARER INDICTED ON TAX CHARGES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2009 -
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Yolanda Hudson of Battle Creek, Michigan, was arraigned
today on a federal indictment charging her with 23 counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of
a false tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis. Special Agent in Charge Maurice
Aouate, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, joined U.S. Attorney Davis
in the announcement. Hudson faces a maximum penalty of 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine of
$250,000 on each count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.
According to the Indictment, for the tax years 2005 through 2007, Hudson, doing business as Hudson and Hargrove Consulting LLC, prepared and filed 23 fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. The Indictment alleges these tax returns overstated income earned by the taxpayers, which allowed them to obtain the Earned Income Tax Credit, resulting in fraudulent refunds being issued to the taxpayers. The alleged total false income claimed on the tax returns totaled over $280,000, while the alleged fraudulent refunds claimed by the taxpayers totaled over $90,000.
U.S. Attorney Davis stated, “It should not need to be repeated that federal criminal charges involving tax preparation specialists filing false tax returns are of the utmost gravity. This case clearly demonstrates my office’s commitment to aggressively prosecute tax fraud. We will take all appropriate actions against those who prepare fraudulent tax returns.”
Special Agent in Charge Maurice Aouate said, “No one is entitled to an undeserved windfall and refunds should only be issued to taxpayers who are entitled to them. At the IRS, protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take extremely seriously.”
This case was investigated by special agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Ann Woods.
The charges in the pending Indictment are only allegations, and Hudson is presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established in court by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
END
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