A Pennsylvania man who worked as a tax preparer in Newark was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for helping his clients file falsified tax returns that generated larger refunds.
Sylvain Dienhoue, 53, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an indictment charging him with three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns.
Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Newark federal court.
According to U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig, documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Dienhoue worked as a tax preparer at Cadi’s Multi Services in Newark.
Dienhoue knowingly and willfully aided and assisted in the preparation of 44 fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients for the tax years 2014 through 2016.
Dienhoue used fabricated and inflated figures, including expenses and itemized deductions, in order to generate inflated refunds.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Dienhoue to one year of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $237,738. He is also precluded from preparing taxes on anyone else’s behalf.