Irvington, N. J. Tax Preparer Arraigned On Charges Of Preparing And Filing False Tax Returns

NEWARK, N.J. – An Irvington, N.J. tax preparer was arraigned today for allegedly preparing false tax returns designed to get her clients larger returns than they were entitled to, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Alicia Jones, 46, appeared today in federal court in Newark, N.J. after being charged in a 25-count Indictment. A federal grand jury in Newark, N.J., indicted her on charges of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false tax returns. Jones surrendered this morning to special agents of the IRS - Criminal Investigation. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk.

According to the Indictment:

Jones, the owner of Rightchoice Financial and Insurance Services, prepared tax returns for her clients that included fabricated and inflated itemized deductions, education expenses, and false filing statuses. From 2006 through 2009, Jones prepared and filed the fraudulent tax returns for her clients in order to obtain greater refunds for her clients than those to which they were entitled.

Each count of the Indictment carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Shantelle P. Kitchen, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara R. Llanes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: Thomas Ashley Esq., Newark

Jones Indictment