LAS VEGAS - - A tax preparer in Las Vegas was indicted today by the Federal Grand Jury on sixteen felony counts of Willfully Preparing False Income Tax Returns and one felony count of Corruptly Endeavoring to Obstruct and Impede the Administration of the Internal Revenue Laws, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

According to the Indictment, beginning in approximately 1992, MARIANNE HARTMANN, age 51, also known as MARIANNE GRAY, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, was in the profession of preparing federal income tax returns under the business name of MG HARTMANN SERVICES, located at 3375 Glen Avenue #8, in Las Vegas.

The Indictment alleges that HARTMANN prepared tax returns for clients that included false Schedule C items, such as false business gross receipts, false advertising expenses, false car and truck expenses, false meals and entertainment expenses, and false office expenses.

Counts 1 through 16 of the Indictment allege that between 1997 and 2000, HARTMANN aided and assisted in the preparation of 16 individual or joint income tax returns reporting false business losses totaling approximately $137,000.

For the tax year 2000, HARTMAN allegedly prepared 1,038 income tax returns, and requested refunds on every one of those returns averaging approximately $2,486. In several cases, HARTMANN is alleged to have kept more than 50 percent of each false refund paid by the IRS as her preparation fee.

The Indictment also alleges that HARTMANN corruptly endeavored to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws, in that, after learning that a client was being audited by the IRS, HARTMANN instructed the client to gather or falsify receipts, and falsify mileage records to substantiate the false Schedule C business expenses.

If convicted, HARTMANN faces up to three years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000 on each count. HARTMANN was summoned to appear in court for an initial appearance hearing and arraignment on Friday, April 16, at 8:30a.m.

The public is reminded that an Indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by Special Agents with IRS Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Department of Justice Trial Attorneys Mark S. Determan and Lea A. Carlisle.

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