Union County, New Jersey, Tax Preparer Admits Tax Fraud

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union, New Jersey, woman today admitted preparing fraudulent income tax returns on behalf of her clients, causing losses of over $320,000, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Toni Ciullo, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging her with one count of aiding and assisting others in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns.

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

Ciullo was an owner and operator of Full Spectrum Consulting LLC in Union. For tax years 2010 through 2014, Ciullo used a number of fraudulent practices, including increasing claimed losses and credits for certain businesses, increasing her clients’ unreimbursed employee expenses and medical and dental costs, and creating fictitious businesses, all so her clients would receive higher refunds than those to which they were actually entitled. Ciullo admitted that the bogus returns resulted in a tax loss to the government of approximately $322,537.

The charge to which Ciullo pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 7, 2018.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonca, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents with the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mark McKevitt in Newark, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari B. Fontecchio of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

Defense counsel: David Holman Esq., Office of the Federal Public Defender, Newark