Marion County Tax Preparer Convicted of Filing False Tax Returns

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Marion County tax preparer was convicted today on 26 counts of filing false tax returns, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.

Jack Lee Oliver, age 56, of Rivesville, West Virginia, was found guilty by a jury for the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Oliver is the owner of an insurance sales and tax return preparation business known as Insurance Depot located in Fairmont.

The evidence at trial established that Oliver prepared tax returns for clients claiming business losses for non-existent businesses without the knowledge of the clients.  He also prepared returns for clients who did have businesses, but falsely inflated expenses to cause a business loss, again without the knowledge of the clients.  In both instances, his actions caused the clients to receive tax refunds to which they were not entitled. The evidence also demonstrated that Oliver, on his own tax returns, claimed the foster son of one of his clients resulting in thousands of dollars in refundable credits to which he was not entitled.

“Jack Oliver stole from American taxpayers when he falsified returns to benefit himself and others,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “We will continue to crack down on anyone who attempts to game the system by falsely claiming losses, expenses, or dependents in order to obtain a bigger tax refund.”

The United States expects that the evidence at Oliver’s sentencing will establish that he caused a tax loss of more than $500,000.

Oliver is facing up to three years in federal prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod Douglas and Eleanor Hurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The trial began last Tuesday and concluded with the verdict this morning.

The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.