New jersey tax preparer arrested, charged with filing false returns for clients
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
April 21, 2011 |
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bloomfield, N.J., tax return preparer was arrested today for allegedly preparing tax returns he knew were false to get his clients large returns to which they were not entitled, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Rigot Joseph, 54, is charged by Indictment with 12 counts of knowingly aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false tax returns. Joseph was arrested this morning at his residence by special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, and is expected to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court.
According to the Indictment unsealed today:
Rigot Joseph, the sole owner of RJM Professional Tax Services, prepared tax returns that claimed fabricated and inflated Schedule A itemized deductions for his clients. Joseph met with clients at RJM Professional Tax Services, where he prepared their tax returns for a fee. For filing years 2005 through 2007, Joseph prepared client tax returns that claimed deductions based on false gifts to charity, false job expenses and other false miscellaneous expenses in order to obtain large refunds for his clients. He then electronically filed the tax returns with the IRS.
Each count of the Indictment carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Victor W. Lessoff, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen P. O’Leary of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of New Jersey.
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Register online at
www.disasterassistance.gov , by web-enabled mobile device atm.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.
