FAIRLAWN, NEW JERSEY, TAX PREPARER GETS 13 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR TAX FRAUD

NEWARK, N.J. – A tax preparer was sentenced today to 13 months in prison for preparing fraudulent income tax returns on behalf of her clients, causing losses of over $130,000, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Shirley Arias, a/k/a “Shirley Zambrano,” 43, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to an information charging her with one count of aiding and assisting others in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. Judge Salas imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Arias was an owner and operator of Santos & Associates in Union City, New Jersey. For the tax years 2012 through 2014, Arias assisted in the filing of income tax returns based on false information. She used a number of fraudulent practices, including falsely claiming deductions and fabricating educational credits in order to obtain refunds for her clients in amounts greater than those to which they were entitled. The bogus returns resulted in a tax loss to the government of approximately $130,279.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas sentenced Arias to one year of supervised release and ordered her to pay restitution of $130,279.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Joseph W. Cronin, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents with the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mark McKevitt in Newark, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Katey Theurer Esq., Jersey City, New Jersey