Three Broward Tax Preparers Sentenced for Preparing False Tax Returns

Three Broward Residents were sentenced today for preparing false tax returns for their clients.  Steven Tidas, of Tamarac, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $85,459.  Sylvanie Junior Pierre, of Lauderdale Lakes, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $28,119.  Stenor Prosper, of Parkland, was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by 6 months home confinement and three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,463.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.

Tidas, Pierre and Propser previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy.

According to court documents, the defendants served as officers of Value Tax Services, Inc. and Value Financial Group, Inc., both of Sunrise.  The defendants prepared tax returns for individuals that falsely claimed tax credits for being first time home buyers, when the defendants knew that in truth and in fact, the taxpayers had not purchased a home and did not qualify for the tax credit.  The defendants also prepared tax returns for individuals that falsely claimed they had received household help income or inflated household help income and had falsely inflated other income or deductions, in order to increase the amount of the taxpayers’ refunds.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia R. Wood.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.