Fraudulent Tax Preparers Sentenced to Federal Prison

ATLANTA - Frederick Jenkins and Willie Jenkins have each been sentenced to over six years in federal prison after a jury convicted them of preparing and filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.

“The defendants in this case blatantly stole from their clients and left them to deal with the tax liability,” said U. S. Attorney John Horn. “It’s important to be careful when selecting someone to prepare tax returns.  Demand to see what your tax preparer files with the IRS and ask questions, especially if the return seems too good to be true.”  

“Return Preparer fraud is a top priority for IRS Criminal Investigation and we have committed many resources to investigating and prosecuting cases just like these,” said Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Field Office. “Return preparers who concoct schemes to defraud the government, the tax paying public and their own clients face federal prosecution and federal prison. It is our hope that the sentencing of Willie and Frederick Jenkins helps reassure our communities that return preparers who lack integrity and engage in illegal activities will be held accountable for their actions.”

“Frederick and Willie Jenkins did a disservice to legitimate tax preparers who comply with Georgia tax law. The Jenkins’ not only violated the integrity of our tax system, but also placed an unfair burden on the hardworking taxpayers of Georgia. We will continue to find and track others who seek to defraud the taxpayers of our state,” said Josh Waites Director of the Office of Special Investigations, Georgia Department of Revenue.

According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: Between 2009 and 2012, Fredrick and Willie Jenkins prepared and filed thousands of tax returns at Global Tax Service, a business they managed together. The defendants created fictitious, unprofitable businesses that they listed on their clients’ tax returns as a way to generate fraudulent deductions. Those deductions lowered the clients’ taxable income and made their refunds larger. Ultimately, however, the clients were left to resolve their situations with the IRS and state authorities, while the defendants kept the fees they charged for preparing the returns.

In the end, Fred and Willie Jenkins conspired to create fraudulent business deductions that resulted in a tax loss of over $3.5 million.

• Frederick Jenkins, 43, of Douglasville, Georgia, was sentenced to six years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, a special assessment of $1100, and restitution of $3.5 million to the IRS.

• Willie Jenkins, 46, also of Douglasville, was sentenced to six years, three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, a special assessment of $700, and restitution of $3.5 million to the IRS.

Both Defendants were found guilty by a jury on October 26, 2015, following a week-long trial.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Office of Special Investigations, Georgia Department of Revenue.

Assistant United States Attorneys Bernita B. Malloy and Christopher C. Bly prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.