St. Bernard Resident Charged with Preparing False Tax Returns

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EMELDA MATTHEWS, age 36, of Violet, was charged today in a Bill of Information with Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False Tax Returns.

According to documents filed in federal court, MATTHEWS operated a small tax preparer business from her home in Violet.  From 2013 through 2015, MATTHEWS, aided and assisted numerous federal income tax filers in preparing and filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.

The maximum penalty for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns is three years of imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney, Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.