Former CPA Sentenced For Filing False Tax Returns

Macon J. Dew, 64, of Mr. Juliet, Tennessee, was sentenced on January 11, 2013, by Chief U.S. District Judge William J. Haynes, Jr., to serve 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $205,535.00 to the IRS for his role in the preparation of false tax returns, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.  Dew was also prohibited from preparing or filing any future tax returns.

On July 18, 2012, Dew pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.  Dew admitted that he was a Certified Public Accountant until 2008 and he had operated a tax return preparation business in Mt. Juliet and Old Hickory, Tenn.  He acknowledged that between 2001 and 2004, he prepared at least 33 false income tax returns for others. The false items included fictitious W-2 forms, false Schedule C businesses, and fraudulent education credits. Dew admitted that the tax loss from the filing of these false returns was at least $40,000.

Additionally, Dew admitted that for the 2006 tax year, he prepared returns and relevant schedules for two individuals who formed a corporation known as CP Construction, LLC.  The returns falsely reported a loss of $751,300.00 each. These claimed losses resulted in a tax loss to the government of $165,535.

“This office will vigorously prosecute those who defraud the United States government by filing false income tax returns,” said U.S. Attorney Martin.  “It is especially offensive when individuals with licenses and special knowledge use their skills to prepare false returns and false documents to support them.  We will continue to pursue the public money that was paid for false tax refunds to restore it to the U.S. Treasury.”

This investigation was conducted by IRS- Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jimmie Lynn Ramsaur represented the government.