Bridgeport Tax Return Preparer Indicted

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a 14-count indictment charging TORISE BAKER, 37, of Bridgeport, with tax fraud offenses.

The indictment was returned on April 6, 2021.  Baker appeared yesterday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti, entered a plea of not guilty, and was released on bond.

As alleged in the indictment, Baker prepared tax returns for clients through 101 Things 2 Do, LLC, a multi-service business she operated in Bridgeport.  For the 2014 through 2016 tax years, Baker prepared numerous federal tax returns for taxpayers that claimed false deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses, charitable contributions and tax preparation fees.  In addition, Baker failed to file her own federal tax return for the 2015 tax year. 

The indictment charges Baker with 13 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent income tax returns, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count, and one count of failure to file an income tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

The Justice Department issued a statement today that warns taxpayers to avoid fraudulent tax preparers, notes recent criminal and civil enforcement actions against fraudulent tax preparers, and provides resources for taxpayers and tax preparers.