HOUSTON – A tax preparer is set to appear in court on charges of preparing a false joint income tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Fabrice Mahinga is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m.
The charges allege that in 2018, Mahinga willfully prepared a false tax return listing fake Schedule C loss, Earned Income Tax Credit, American Opportunity Credit, additional child tax credit and a false claim for an income tax refund.
If convicted, Mahinga faces up to three years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case.
An information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.