Tax Preparer From Fair Lawn Admits $130,000 Fraud

FAIR LAWN, N.J. – A Fair Lawn tax preparer admitted Monday that she got more than $130,000 in returns for clients that they weren’t entitled to.

Internal Revenue Service
Photo Credit: *CLIFFVIEW PILOT file photo*

Jerry DeMarco

04/03/2017 3:20 p.m.

Shirley Arias, 43, filed tax returns on clients’ behalf using false information from 2012 through 2014 while she owned and operated Santos & Associates in Union City, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said Modnay.

Arias – also known as Shirley Zambrano -- “used a number of fraudulent practices, including falsely claiming deductions and fabricating educational credits,” Fitzpatrick explained.

She pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Newark to aiding and assisting others in preparing false and fraudulent returns, he said.

A July 25 sentencing was scheduled.

Fitzpatrick credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for the investigation leading to Monday’s guilty plea.

He also thanked special agents with the U.S. Secret Service.

Handling the case for the government is Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould.

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