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Press Release

Oviedo Man Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Tax Fraud And Obstruction

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell yesterday sentenced Daniel M. Metz (54, Oviedo) to 30 months in federal prison for filing false returns and attempting to obstruct justice. He was also ordered to serve a 3-year term of supervision, following his release from prison, and to pay $112,995 in restitution.

Metz was found guilty by a federal jury, on July 18, 2013.

According to court documents, in 2009, Metz's business account was the subject of an Internal Revenue Service civil audit.  During the course of the audit, the auditor realized that Metz had not filed personal tax returns for years 2005, 2006, and 2007. After being told about the personal tax returns, Metz prepared the returns and attached false 1099s, which he also had prepared.  Metz mailed the returns to the auditor. The auditor suspected that the 1099s were false and requested records from Metz's personal bank accounts. The banks confirmed that the 1099s were false. The personal tax returns were never processed. Had they been processed, Metz would have received approximately $330,344 in refunds from the IRS. Through various means, Metz tried to hinder the IRS' investigation, including filing a lawsuit against the IRS Commissioner and the special agent who was conducting a criminal investigation. That lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. 

At the sentencing hearing, the court spoke at length about Metz’s plan to defraud the United States government.  The court said that the scheme was long term and “egregious.”  It added that Metz had “intentionally filed patently false documents to cheat his way out of paying taxes.”

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Davis Wilson.


Updated January 26, 2015