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White collar crimes: Tax preparer faces wire fraud charges

On Behalf of | Apr 26, 2020 | White Collar Crimes |

A 51-year-old Michigan man is on bond after his recent appearance in federal court. The man is accused of committing white collar crimes during his employment with a tax services company. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the man committed wire fraud from 2015 through February of this year.

The charges were filed after the owner of the tax service firm alleged that the employee stole some of the tax refunds of the company’s clients. According to court documents, the accused man provided clients the unfiled versions of their tax returns. The documents did not show the refunds, which he then allegedly siphoned into his own bank accounts. The business owner alleges that the accused employee stole about 120 tax returns. The estimated amount involved in this case is over $400,000.

According to a special agent of the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit, if convicted, the defendant could spend 20 years in federal prison. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors expect to decide whether to seek a felony indictment once the inquiry is completed. Of course, the accused man remains innocent in the eyes of the law unless and until prosecutors can prove otherwise in court and beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Anyone in Michigan who is accused of committing wire fraud or other white collar crimes would likely want the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Legal counsel can launch an independent investigation to follow paper trails and gather evidence that might help the client. The lawyer will then devise a defense strategy and work to achieve the most favorable outcome for the client.