Former Rochester Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty To Preparing False Returns

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Jason R. Pastore, 34, formerly of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to preparing false tax returns, before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who is handling the case, stated the defendant operated a tax return business known as JRP Tax Consultants in Rochester.  Pastore, without the knowledge of clients, prepared fraudulent federal income tax returns. Specifically, the defendant reported false charitable contributions and un-reimbursed employee expenses on Schedule A, and false business deductions on Schedule C. As a result, clients received tax refunds to which they were not entitled.

For the tax years, 2008, 2009, and 2010, Pastore prepared approximately 234 fraudulent returns which resulted in the Internal Revenue Service paying more than $400,000 in tax refunds to which the clients were not entitled. The defendant also prepared and filed fraudulent tax returns for himself during the same time period.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Wolford.