A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan has indicted three local tax preparers for allegedly conspiring to defraud the government by filing fraudulent tax returns over a three-year period.
Details of the Indictment
According to federal court documents, Jamar Harten of Shelby Township, Tabitha Scott of Davisburg, and Tyree Monroe Jr. of Detroit operated out of Harten’s business, First Class Tax and Consulting. Prosecutors allege that during the 2022 tax year, all three individuals fabricated or assisted in fabricating tax deductions and credits for their clients.
These entries effectively lowered the clients’ reported taxable income and triggered refunds they were not legally qualified to receive. The indictment notes that the clients never provided the preparers with information suggesting they qualified for those deductions or credits.
Harten and Scott are accused of filing similar fraudulent returns during the 2021 and 2023 tax seasons. All three defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States alongside multiple counts of assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case is currently being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Trial Attorneys Christopher P. O’Donnell and Joseph D. G. Castro from the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are leading the prosecution.
The charges were officially announced by Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. The division was newly established on April 7 with a specific mandate to investigate and prosecute fraud against American citizens.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
