United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Mark Harrell, age 35, was sentenced in federal court Monday in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false return. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Harrell to 5 years’ probation and ordered him to pay $43,058 in restitution.
For tax year 2012, Harrell prepared tax returns for friends and family members. On several of the U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Forms 1040 and 1040A, there were false and fraudulent statements that caused the I.R.S. to refund more money to the taxpayer than they were legally entitled to get. The false statements related to wages, wage withholding, and claims for American Opportunity Credit. In total, $43,058 was involved in Mr. Harrell’s scheme.
“Combatting refund fraud continues to be a priority for this office," said Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
