Tax Preparer Sentenced To Probation With Home Detention, Community Service For Preparing False Returns
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. ‑ A resident of Johnstown, Penn., has been sentenced in federal court to five years probation, with home detention for the first 18 months, 500 hours of community service and a fine of $15,000, on his conviction of aiding and assisting in filing false income tax returns United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Samuel J. Grasso.
According to information presented to the court, Grasso, as a full-time tax preparer during the period from April 15, 2004, until April 15, 2007, aided and assisted in the preparation and presentation to the Internal Revenue Service of 82 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Form 1040, which were false and fraudulent in that they reflected inflated and/or false medical expenses, charitable contributions, employee business expenses, and/or Schedule C expense amounts. Grasso knew the amounts reflected for these medical expenses, charitable contributions, employee business expenses, and/or Schedule C expense amounts, were inflated and/or false, and his fraudulent conduct resulted in a total tax deficiency of $86,730.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Grasso.
