Ocoee Man Pleads Guilty To Operating Fraudulent Tax Preparation Business

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that James Fednor Meristin has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. Meristin faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, between 2019 and 2023, Meristin and other co-conspirators operated a tax preparation business, Kings and Queens Multi Services, which prepared and filed false and fraudulent tax returns for its clients. These fraudulent returns were designed to maximize client refunds by claiming COVID-related sick and family leave credits for which the taxpayer was not entitled. Because of the excessive refunds they generated for their clients, Meristin and his co-conspirators were able to charge and receive exorbitant fees for their tax preparation services, including as high as $20,000 per return. Meristin also admitted to deficiencies and fraudulent items in his own tax returns. As part of the plea agreement, Meristin has agreed to pay $2,338,675 in restitution to the IRS.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.