Federal Jury Finds Orlando Woman Guilty Of Aiding In The Preparation Of False Tax Returns

Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury has found Tammie McConico, a/k/a “Tammie Brown,” (56, Orlando) guilty of aiding the preparation of false tax returns. She faces a maximum penalty of 51 years in federal prison. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2018. 

McConico was indicted on April 12, 2017.

According to evidence presented at trial, between at least 2010 and 2014, McConico held herself out as a tax preparation expert who offered assistance with federal income tax returns as part of her “ministry” to the community. Her customers would bring her their W-2’s, charitable giving receipts, and other tax documents and she would prepare their tax returns for a fee of $500-$1,000 per return, which McConico would deduct from the customers’ refunds. These returns resulted in significant tax refunds for her customers, which McConico attributed to her vast experience in the tax industry, her attendance at tax seminars, and her previous employment with the Internal Revenue Service. McConico claimed that she spent extra time with each tax return, and that she knew about “hidden” tax deductions that other tax preparers did not get for their customers. In actuality, McConico had never worked in the tax industry, had little tax training, and had never worked for the IRS. She obtained refunds for her customers by putting false information on their returns, without their knowledge, including false losses, income from fake businesses, false family member exemptions, and false higher education expenses. Many of her customers discovered the false information after they were audited by the IRS, and required to pay back their refunds plus interest and penalties. As part of her scheme, McConico collected over $467,687 in tax preparation fees between 2011 and 2012.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.