Accountants in Florida Receive Federal Prison Sentences

As an accountant in Florida, you might assume that your professional status shields you from potential criminal charges. However, it may be easier to break white-collar crimes than you think, and the authorities are more than willing to prosecute accountants. This was made clear after two accountants in Florida faced federal charges, subsequently receiving over a year in prison. What can you do if you were charged with federal accounting crimes in Florida?

Two Accountants Get 18 Months in Prison for False Tax Scheme 

In July of 2024, the Justice Department announced that two Florida-based accountants had been sentenced to prison for filing false returns. One of these individuals was sentenced to 18 months behind bars, while the other received a sentence of 30 months. They had been charged with conspiracy to commit tax fraud, a crime that may lead to a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. Needless to say, these sentences could have been much worse. They were also ordered to pay almost $400,000 in restitution.

It is worth noting that these accountants were defrauding not only the IRS, but also their own clients. The scheme involved filing tax returns on behalf of clients. One of the conspirators gathered the tax information from his clients and provided it to the other. Next, they filed false returns on behalf of the victims – without their knowledge – and claimed inflated refunds.

Once they received the inflated refunds, they directed the money back into their own accounts. They took the funds for themselves, and the clients had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. This apparently caused a tax loss of $500,000 for the US government. A third co-conspirator was involved in the scene, but he has not been located by authorities as of this writing.

When Might an Accountant Face Criminal Charges? 

Accountants can face various criminal offenses. As long as prosecutors establish that you knowingly engaged in some kind of fraud, you could face various penalties. Examples include money laundering, making false statements, overstating assets or revenue, and so on.

Generally speaking, intent is an important element of these accounting crimes. Prosecutors must establish that your actions were not accidental – and this isn’t always easy. Remember, you can only face a conviction if prosecutors establish your guilt “beyond reasonable doubt.” You may also escape penalties if you establish that your actions were part of normal business operations.

Find a Federal White-Collar Crime Defense Lawyer in Fort Myers 

If you’ve been searching for a Fort Myers tax fraud lawyer, look no further than The Foley & Wilson Law Firm. With our help, you can strive for positive outcomes and push back against excessive penalties. As an accountant in Florida, you should not face serious penalties for honest mistakes. Book a consultation today to learn more about your options – and get started with an effective defense strategy.

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/two-tax-preparers-sentenced-federal-prison

taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/get-help/filing-returns/tax-return-preparer-fraud/