TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- Monique Yvette Kimble, 39, of Midway, was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to 24 months in prison for preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns and for identity theft. The sentences were announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Kimble was sentenced for conduct that occurred from February through April 2009, when she acted as a certified tax preparer for a Tallahassee-area tax preparation business. On at least nine occasions, Kimble prepared tax returns seeking fraudulent credits, which resulted in improper tax refunds. In addition, on at least two occasions, Kimble filed tax returns using stolen identity information from persons who did not authorize, nor realize, that Kimble had filed returns seeking tax refunds on their behalf.
“These tax preparers committing fraud and stealing identities have hit Florida like a tsunami," said U.S. Attorney Marsh. “We are investigating, indicting, and prosecuting these cases at a steadily increasing pace. Our law enforcement partners at every level are on top of the schemes and the technology, and we could not do these cases without their efforts." In particular, Ms. Marsh praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, whose investigation led to the convictions in the case.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ran the sentences for each of the thirteen counts of conviction concurrent to one another for a total of 24 months imprisonment, and a total of five years of supervised release.
“This sentence should send a message to tax professionals about their duty to prepare accurate and truthful tax returns and the consequences of not doing so" stated James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. Robnett added “IRS will continue to aggressively investigate unscrupulous tax professionals and hold them accountable in order to insure the integrity of the income tax system."
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
