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Damaris Beltre, 57, of Freeport, was indicted on wire fraud and related charges in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, March 12, after filing hundreds of false tax returns and stealing COVID-19 relief funds, prosecutors alleged.
Beltre ran multiple tax preparation businesses where she falsely inflated tax refunds for clients, claiming fake dependents, fraudulent sick leave, and fuel tax credits, according to prosecutors. She allegedly charged a percentage of the inflated refunds as her fee, pocketing over $1 million.
In one example, an undercover agent posing as a client was told he owed $205 in taxes. But Beltre instead prepared a fraudulent return claiming a $14,243 refund—charging the agent $2,200 for her services, prosecutors said.
In all, Beltre's false tax returns caused approximately $12 million in losses to the Internal Revenue Service. (IRS), prosecutors allege.
She is also accused of misusing over $1 million in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans by submitting false payroll reports and tax returns on behalf of fake businesses. Instead of using the funds for payroll, prosecutors say she spent them on personal expenses, including:
- $22,500 toward a house in the Dominican Republic
- $16,000 to buy a Honda CRV
- Tens of thousands of dollars at jewelry stores
- Over $226,000 withdrawn in cash
“Beltre is charged with defrauding the government of millions of dollars to fatten her pockets,” said IRS Special Agent Harry Chavis Jr. “While she may have been viewed as a respected tax preparer, Beltre did not respect federal law, nor did she care about the victims of her fraud—the American people.”
Beltre faces 42 charges, including:
- Wire Fraud
- Aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns
- Money laundering
- Aggravated identity theft
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