Arizona Tax Preparer Indicted for Allegedly Preparing Fraudulent Returns

PHOENIX -- Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a State Grand Jury indicted Roberto De La O, a tax preparer, with fraudulent schemes and artifices, preparing false returns, taking the identity of another, and failure to file taxes. De La O is accused of preparing false Arizona personal income tax returns between 2014 and 2017.

The Arizona Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigations Unit investigated the case. It is alleged that approximately 118 tax returns prepared by De La O included either a Form W-2 or 1099-Miscellaneous from Red Home Investments, which fraudulently listed Arizona income tax withholding. Arizona Corporation Commission records list De La O as the sole member manager of Red Home Investments.

For the taxpayers, the inclusion of fraudulent withholding amounts on their returns resulted in higher refunds. The affected taxpayers will have to file amended returns and be responsible for the additional taxes due along with interest.

Assistant Attorney General Mary Harriss is prosecuting this case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Copy of indictment here.

Monday, Dec. 02, 2019