Rossy Alberto and Juan Nunez, both from Lakeland, Florida, pleaded guilty on March 27 before United States District Judge Julia K. Munley to conspiring to defraud the United States and other tax-related crimes.
The case involves the operation of a tax-preparing business called RA Multiservices and Immigration in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The charges state that between 2016 and 2021, Alberto and Nunez prepared about 35 false or fraudulent tax returns for their clients without their knowledge. These returns included incorrect information such as false tax withholding amounts, childcare expenses, and residential energy credits. As a result, the Internal Revenue Service issued inflated refunds that the clients were not entitled to receive.
Authorities say that after being expelled from the IRS electronic filing program, Alberto continued preparing and electronically filing returns using Nunez’s name and identification number. She also admitted to two counts of personal tax evasion for the years 2018 and 2020. Additionally, Alberto acknowledged contempt of court by continuing her activities after being permanently barred from preparing or filing returns by a court order in 2020; this included five false filings in 2021.
“Tax return preparers have a duty to their clients to prepare tax returns that comply with the law and are accurate,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge at IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Philadelphia Field Office.
The Internal Revenue Service investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys James Buchanan and Trial Attorney Likhitha Butchireddygari are prosecuting the case. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine under federal law. Sentencing will be determined by the judge according to federal statutes and guidelines.
