Bay Shore Tax Preparer Filed False Returns

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. -- A Bay Shore, N.Y. tax preparer, accused of helping many of clients evade federal income taxes, pleaded guilty to a single count of preparing false returns Wednesday, Newsday reported Thursday citing officials.

Humberto Gonzalez, 43, who operated a tax preparation and automobile insurance business at 1557 Fifth Ave., greatly exaggerated the deductions 65 clients were entitled to, the paper reported citing court papers filed by an agent of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

As part of his plea agreement before U.S. Magistrate William Wall at the U.S. District Court in Central Islip, N.Y., Gonzalez agreed to repay $129,000. That was the amount of federal taxes that his scheme deprived the government of, according to his attorney, Anthony La Pinta of Hauppauge, N.Y. Gonzalez faces between 18 to 24 months in prison when he is sentenced.

La Pinta said his client "was taking full responsibility for his actions" and taking steps to make full restitution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Capwell declined to comment to the paper.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 1/17/08