Kenyan Shondre Scott has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud in February.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard handed down the sentence that was announced Wednesday.
Scott has also been ordered to pay $533,403 in restitution to the government.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said in an email to WJCT News that Scott admitted to preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns for others between February 2014 and April 2018 in which people were claiming illegitimate general business and education tax credits, among other things.
The case against Scott also documented his underreporting his own taxable income for tax years 2013 through 2016.
“We want everyone who files a tax return to take advantage of the deductions and credits to which they are entitled by law; however, no one is entitled to defraud the government," said Special Agent in Charge Brian Payne of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Today's sentencing of Kenyan Scott demonstrates that protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take very seriously. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to vigorously pursue those who unjustly line their own pockets by preparing false claims for refunds for themselves and others.”
The National Directory of Registered Tax Return Preparers & Professionals listed Scott’s business as Pro Resource Service.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
