February 1, 2007 - United States Attorney Patrick L. Meehan today announced the filing of a 20-count indictment* charging Bucks County tax preparer John J. Poltonowicz, 41, with one count of conspiracy, twelve counts of counseling and assisting in the preparation and filing of false and fraudulent income tax returns and other tax documents, four counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of making a false statement to the Internal Revenue Service in an effort to conceal his ownership of his tax preparation business. The charges relate to Poltonowicz’s conduct of his Bristol-based tax preparation business and his use of false documents to obtain loans and lease a vehicle. The indictment alleges that Poltonowicz prepared hundreds of false tax returns and that he filed a false document with the Internal Revenue Service seeking permission to file tax returns electronically after the IRS had previously revoked his electronic filing privileges. The indictment also alleges that Poltonowicz used fictitious tax returns that he created which overstated his income to use to obtain two mortgage loans on his home and to lease a 2004 BMW automobile.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to 166 years imprisonment, up to 3 years supervised release, and a $5 million fine.

The Internal Revenue Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The case has been assigned for prosecution to Assistant United States Attorney Richard J. Zack. For copies of the indictment and this release, please go to www.usao-edpa.gov.