WASHINGTON – District of Columbia tax preparer Donald Roberts was today sentenced to six months incarceration, followed by six months home detention, a $5,000 fine and supervised release, the Justice Department announced. Additionally, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ordered the 70-year-old man to perform 200 hours of community service.
Roberts pleaded guilty on April 30 of this year to conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by preparing false tax returns for clients at his business, X-Press Refund Tax Service, located at 2642 12th Street NE in Washingon. He entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.
According to the court proceedings, Roberts owned and operated X-Press Refund Tax Service, which prepared returns for teachers, nurses and law enforcement personnel including officers of the U.S. Capitol Police. Roberts and his employees knowingly prepared false and fraudulent tax returns for clients. The false items on the tax returns included overstated Schedule A deductions – such as charitable contributions, unreimbursed employee expenses and vehicle expenses – incorrect filing status, and false Hope Education credits. The false returns resulted in the clients’ receipt of refunds in amounts larger than they were actually entitled.
Nathan J. Hochman, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, thanked the IRS - Criminal Investigation Special Agents who investigated this case, along with Tax Division trial attorneys Karen E. Kelly, Patrick Murray and Mark F. Daly.
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