Press Release
DAVIE WOMAN CHARGED FOR PREPARING FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS AND IMPERSONATING IRS EMPLOYEE
April 25, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael E. Yasofsky, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and Melissa T. Chedotal, Special Agent in Charge, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, announced today the arrest and Indictment of defendant Morgan Mayfaire, a/k/a/ Elizabeth Valido, age 49, of Davie, Florida, on thirty-five counts of making false and fraudulent statements and eight counts impersonating an employee of the United States.
If convicted, Morgan Mayfaire faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 3 years and a $100,000 fine on each of the charges of fraud and false statements, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 3 years and a $250,000 fine on each of the charges of impersonating an employee of the United States.
According to the Indictment, Morgan Mayfaire prepared fraudulent tax returns at her residence in Davie, Florida for several clients. The clients paid Mayfaire a tax return preparation fee of 10% of the refund claimed on their federal tax returns. Mayfaire prepared tax returns and amended tax returns on Forms 1040 and 1040X in which she reported false medical expenses, taxes, charitable contributions, and employee business expenses. The false expenses and deductions listed on the returns resulted in approximately $472,904 in tax refunds to her clients.
Moreover, according to the charges, Mayfaire falsely represented to her clients that she was an IRS employee, and, as such, knew ways to increase taxpayer deductions on tax returns that others were unfamiliar with. These false representations induced clients to hire her to prepare their tax returns.
Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Keene of the Fort Lauderdale Office.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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