Maine Tax Preparer Charged with Defrauding Clients

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean O’Hare, age 53, of South Portland, Maine, was arraigned today on an indictment accusing him of committing wire fraud.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

The indictment alleges that O’Hare, a tax preparer and accountant, defrauded his clients by submitting false and fraudulent sales tax returns to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and diverting client funds for his own use. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A grand jury returned the indictment on September 16, 2021.  O’Hare was arraigned today in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel and released pending trial.

If convicted, O’Hare faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.