Miami CPA Charged with Preparing False Tax Return

A Miami-based CPA was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday on charges of preparing a false tax return for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a group of related companies that collectively operated a shipping business.

According to the criminal information, Luis E. Gonzalez, Jr. became an employee of the shipping business in 2019 and prepared tax returns for several of the shipping business's companies and several members of the family that owned it. Gonzalez allegedly prepared false tax returns for one of the companies for the years 2021 and 2022, and for an employee of that business for the years 2021 through 2023. These false returns collectively underreported millions of dollars in income.

Gonzalez was charged with one count of aiding or assisting the filing of a false tax return. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Jason A. Redding Quinones of the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham of the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.