Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Obnes Latigue (50, Orlando) pleaded guilty today to three counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns. He faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison for each count. His sentencing hearing has been set for Aug. 21, 2013. Latigue was indicted on April 10, 2013.
According to his plea agreement, Latigue was the owner of a tax return business called “Tax Winners Enterprises, Inc." For the tax years 2006, 2007, and 2008, Latigue prepared returns for individuals in which he falsified the amounts of deductions and tax credits owed to the taxpayers. As a result, those taxpayers received undeserved tax refunds. Latigue fraudulently claimed education credits for clients who never attended college. He also inflated itemized deductions. As a result of the false returns prepared by Latigue, the Internal Revenue Service issued more than $1.1 million in undeserved refunds. Latigue has agreed to repay the IRS that amount in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
