Mobile, Ala. – A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses a local tax preparation firm of filing thousands of false tax returns that sought $177 million in fraudulent refunds. The indictment, brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Mobile, names six defendants and details a multi‑year scheme that exploited the nation’s tax system.
Who is charged
The lead defendant is Jennifer Beverly, 47, owner of JB Accounting Tax Service LLC on Broad Street. She faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Also named is former University of Alabama basketball star Kennedy Lawrence Stovall Winston, 42, a former employee of the firm. Winston, a Blount High School graduate, additionally faces an unrelated federal fraud charge involving stolen Treasury checks.
Four other employees are charged with the same conspiracy and wire fraud offenses: Jadasha Bowman, 28; Solida Lucille Green, 36; Paris Lovett (also known as Paris Johnson), 30; and Shermeka Benjamin, 38.
Scope of the alleged fraud
According to the indictment, the defendants filed more than 9,000 fraudulent returns between roughly 2021 and 2024. Of the $177 million in claimed refunds, the Internal Revenue Service issued $81 million before the scheme was uncovered.
The fraudulent returns allegedly included a range of improper deductions and credits, such as COVID‑19 relief credits, fuel tax credits, credit repayments, estimated tax payments and education credits.
Law enforcement response
Maisha Horton, acting special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division’s Atlanta Field Office, called the alleged abuse “staggering.” She emphasized that tax preparers are entrusted with sensitive financial information and must uphold the integrity of the nation’s tax system rather than exploit it for personal gain.
Christopher Flowers, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Mobile Field Office, highlighted the strong partnership among federal agencies in the investigation. He said the allegations represent a serious breach of trust and that rebuilding public confidence is a core FBI priority.
Potential penalties
No court date has been set. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The case underscores the importance of vigilant oversight of tax preparation services and serves as a reminder that federal law‑enforcement agencies will pursue those who manipulate tax credits and defraud American taxpayers.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
