Two Florida men, Christopher Johnson of Orlando and Jasen Harvey of Tampa admitted to their roles in a tax fraud scheme known as the “Note Program.”
They conspired to file tax returns for clients with falsely inflated income tax withholdings, resulting in fraudulent refunds.
A third individual, Arthur Grimes, of Ocoee and Orlando, previously pleaded guilty to obstructing the IRS’s investigation into the scheme.
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The scheme, which ran from 2015 to 2018, claimed over $3 million in fraudulent refunds, with the IRS paying out roughly $1.5 million.
Johnson and Harvey profited significantly from the scheme, with Johnson receiving over $300,000 in unreported income. Grimes participated by filing false returns and obstructing the IRS’s recovery efforts.
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All three defendants face potential prison sentences and financial penalties. Johnson and Harvey could each face up to five years in prison, while Grimes faces up to three years. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for later dates.
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