New Haven Man Charged With Tax Fraud Offenses

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned a 15-count indictment charging WILLIE E. McKAY, 38, of New Haven, with aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false federal income tax returns.  The indictment was returned on April 9 and unsealed today.

According to the indictment, McKAY, the pastor of The Love Temple Church, Inc. in West Haven, provided individual tax preparation services to members of his church and others.  In the course of preparing numerous individual federal income tax returns for clients in 2007 and 2008, McKAY improperly reduced the amount of tax due in a variety of ways, including falsely reporting wages and withholdings, and falsely claiming deductions for state taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, mortgage interest payments, qualified mortgage insurance payments, charitable contributions, and business expenses.

The indictment further alleges that McKAY altered wage and withholding amounts appearing on the W-2 forms he received from his clients.

The indictment charges McKAY with 15 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false federal income tax returns, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and fine of up to $250,000 on each count.

McKAY appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $150,000 bond.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the United States Secret Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov