Clerge Frazil was indicted on 21 counts of preparing false income tax returns for 19 clients and claiming approximately $124,038 more than the total refunds to which the clients were entitled
An indictment was filed charging Clerge Frazil, age 33, of East Cleveland, Ohio, with 21 counts of preparing false income tax returns for the years 2007 through 2008 for 19 clients of a tax preparation firm which he owned in Cleveland, Ohio, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Twenty-one false returns claimed total refunds, computed using the false tax credits, that were approximately $124,038 more than the total refunds to which the clients were entitled, according to the charges.
Frazil was also charged with two counts of filing a false tax return for the years 2007 and 2008.
The indictment alleges that Frazil prepared clients’ returns that included fraudulent credits for federal excise on fuels, fraudulent student loan interest deductions or education credits, incorrect filing status, false or falsely inflated Form A Schedule A deductions, false residential energy efficient property credit, and false Schedule C businesses to maximize the earned income credit.
The indictment also alleges that Frazil filed false individual income tax returns for his 2007 and 2008 taxes. Frazil filed a false return for the tax year 2007 fraudulently claiming payment credit for withheld income taxes, falsely claiming a tuition and fees deduction for his wife, fraudulently claiming a mortgage interest credit, and failing to report a $9,800 taxable distribution, as documented by Form 1099-R from Hartford Life Insurance. Frazil filed a false return for the tax year 2008 fraudulently claiming payment credit for withheld income taxes, falsely claiming a gas tax credit and a mortgage interest credit, fraudulently claiming a carryover-gifts to charity deduction, and fraudulently omitting a $2,583 taxable distribution, as documented by Form 1099-R from Hartford Life Insurance, as well as income derived from his tax preparation business.
The indictment was filed under seal and a warrant was issued for Mr. Frazil’s arrest. Mr. Frazil was arrested by Internal Revenue Service Special Agents on April 13, 2012.
If convicted, Defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including Defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, Defendant’s role in the offenses, and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Patton and Special Assistant United States Attorney Perry D. Mastrocola, following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
