Three Broward Residents Plead Guilty to Preparing False Tax Returns for Their Clients

Three Broward Residents pled guilty for preparing false tax returns for their clients.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.

Steven Tidas, of Tamarac, Sylvanie Junior Pierre, of Lauderdale Lakes, and Stenor Prosper, of Parkland, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy.

According to court documents, the defendants served as officers of Value Tax Services, Inc. and/or Value Financial Group, Inc., both of Sunrise. The defendants prepared tax returns for individuals that falsely claimed tax credits for being a first time home buyer, when the defendants knew the taxpayers had not purchased a home and did not qualify for the credit. The defendants also prepared tax returns for individuals that falsely claimed that the taxpayers had household help income, or inflated household help income, and they falsely inflated other income or deductions in order to increase the amount of the taxpayers’ refunds.

Intended loss to the government committed by Tidas, Pierre, and Prosper is $531,146, $284,550, and $163,053, respectively.

Judge Robin Rosenberg will issue an order setting a sentencing date for all defendants. The defendants each face a maximum of five years in prison.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia R. Wood.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.