Ames Man Sentenced for False Presentation and Preparation of Federal Tax Returns

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Ames man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for preparing, presenting, and making false tax returns.

According to public court documents, Bakou Kees Vonty, 41, also known as Bob Vonty, prepared and filed hundreds of federal individual income tax returns on behalf of individual taxpayers, from approximately 2011 to 2022. On a 2019 tax return, Vonty, on behalf of an individual, falsely reported business losses and qualified education expenses. As part of his plea agreement, Vonty agreed to not prepare, file, or assist in any way with the preparation of federal or state tax returns for any third parties. Further, in at least 2016, Vonty falsely reported business losses and qualified education expenses on his own tax return. Vonty’s false returns resulted in a combined tax loss exceeding $400,000.

Following his prison term, Vonty must serve a one-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.