Press Release
Birmingham Tax-Preparer Convicted For Aiding Filing Of False Tax Returns
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama
BIRMINGHAM -- A federal jury on Thursday convicted a Birmingham tax-preparer for aiding and abetting the filing of false income tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and IRS Criminal Investigation Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot.
The jury convicted SALLY ELIZABETH WYNN, 64, on three counts of aiding and abetting the filing of a false return following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor. Wynn was a 30-year professional tax-preparer and owner of Centerpoint Financial Services.
“While most preparers provide excellent service to their clients, a few dishonest return preparers file false tax returns and give the client a false sense of security,” Hyman-Pillot said. “IRS does not endorse or recommend tax preparers, but we do offer guidelines to help the public choose a reliable tax professional. These guidelines are available on the IRS website,” she said. “Taxpayers should choose carefully when hiring a tax preparer. As the old saying goes, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’”
According to evidence at trial, Wynn helped one of her clients hide income from the Internal Revenue Service for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 tax years. The evidence showed that Wynn provided tax-preparation and bookkeeping services to Gonzalez Construction Incorporated and its owner, Jose Gonzalez. As a result, Wynn knew that Gonzalez received at least $340,000 in personal income during each of the years in question. Nevertheless, she prepared tax returns for him that claimed between $55,000 and $66,000 in total income during each of the three years.
Gonzalez still faces criminal charges for his role in these crimes.
Wynn is scheduled for sentencing May 8.
Wynn could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison on each of the three counts of aiding and abetting the filing of a false tax return.
The IRS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa K. Atwood and Robin B. Mark prosecuted the case.
Updated March 19, 2015
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