Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud and Wire Fraud

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Leon F. Tejada, 50, of Providence, operator of El Centro Multiservicios, LLC, a tax preparation service in Providence, pleaded guilty today to federal tax fraud and wire fraud charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Tejada admitted to the court that during tax years 2009 through 2012, without the knowledge of his clients, he created and falsified clients’ dependents, exemptions, tax credits, deductions and expenses in order to increase the amount of tax refund due to some of his clients. An investigation by agents from IRS Criminal Investigation and by the United States Attorney’s Office determined that the tax fraud scheme resulted in a loss to the United States of $54,440.

Tejada admitted to the court that he also devised a scheme to divert some of his clients’ tax refunds through a bank clearing house, at which time, without the knowledge of his clients, a portion of the funds were diverted into his own bank account for his own personal use. The investigation determined that Tejada diverted $24,987 into his own bank account.

Tejada, who is released on unsecured bond, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on March 10, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.