Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced the indictment of defendant Latonia Lermot, of Port St. Lucie, Florida. The twelve count indictment charges Lermot with assisting and advising in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent income tax returns to the IRS, in violation of Title 26, United States code, Section 7206(2). Defendant Lermot had her initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr. in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

According to the indictment, from January 2010 through March 14, 2011, Lermot owned and operated JB&L Tax Service, Inc., a tax return preparation business located in Fort Pierce, Florida. In this capacity, Lermot met with taxpayers and prepared tax returns on their behalf.

The indictment alleges that Lermot assisted in the preparation and presentation to the IRS of income tax returns, knowing that these returns contained materially false information. Specifically, Lermot filed false tax returns for others that included false information regarding dependents, education credits, child care expenses and the additional child care credit.

If convicted, Lermot faces a possible maximum statutory penalty of up to three years in prison on each count of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent income tax returns.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. McMichael.

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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.