Newark Tax Preparer Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Aiding and Assisting in Preparation of False Tax Returns

NEWARK, N.J. – A Pennsylvania man who worked as a tax preparer in Newark was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for helping his clients file falsified tax returns that generated larger refunds, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Sylvain Dienhoue, 53, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an indictment charging him with three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Dienhoue worked as a tax preparer at Cadi’s Multi Services in Newark. He knowingly and willfully aided and assisted in the preparation of 44 fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients for the tax years 2014 through 2016. Dienhoue used fabricated and inflated figures, including expenses and itemized deductions, in order to generate inflated refunds.       

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Dienhoue to one year of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $237,738. He is also precluded from preparing taxes on anyone else’s behalf.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents from IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha C. Fasanello of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.