Berlin Man Charged with Preparing False Tax Returns

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging GELIN STERLING, 30, of Berlin, with 18 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.  

The indictment was returned on November 20, 2018, and Sterling was arrested on November 27.  Following his arrest, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, Sterling owned and operated Sterling Tax Plus, LLC, a tax preparation business.  For the 2014 through 2017 tax years, Sterling prepared tax returns for multiple clients that included false mileage expenses, false charitable donations, and other false income items.

The charge of aiding in the preparation of a false tax return carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.   This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.