Stratford Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that JUAN SILVA, 37, of Stratford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to preparing false federal income tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SILVA operated Oficina Hispana, a multi-service business that included tax return preparation.  Between approximately 2011 and 2017, SILVA falsified itemized deductions and unreimbursed employee business expenses on numerous returns that he prepared for clients.  In addition, for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 tax years, SILVA made substantial deposits of business receipts from his tax preparation business into his personal bank accounts, and failed to report to the IRS a total of more than $306,000 in income.

SILVA pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return.  At sentencing, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a fine of up to approximately $300,000, and restitution of $143,693.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

The IRS is taking action to recover unpaid taxes from SILVA’s clients.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.