Cleveland, OH – Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury has returned charges against three individuals from Northeast Ohio with aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. These are separate cases and are not related.

“Particularly during this time of year, we want the public to know that violations of our nation’s tax laws will be investigated and, when appropriate, prosecuted,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan.

“Whether it’s return preparers filing false tax returns for their clients or an individual intentionally underreporting his income, IRS CI remains committed to using our financial expertise to vigorously investigate criminal tax allegations,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.

Santon Barnes, 49 of Euclid, is charged with 23 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent tax return. For the tax years 2014 through 2016, BARNES is accused of preparing and submitting tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service that were false and fraudulent. BARNES is accused of deliberately reporting fictitious or inflated income, withholdings, dependents and misrepresenting Scheduled C income.

Harry Gant, 70, of Mentor, is charged with four counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent tax return. According to the indictment, GANT is accused of intentionally underreporting the total income earned from the operation of his business for the tax years of 2014 through 2017 on his Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040 for himself and his spouse.

Michael Haywood, age 29, of Garfield Heights, is charged with 36 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent tax return. The indictment states that HAYWOOD operated a tax preparation business out of his residence and prepared tax returns for individuals. It is alleged that for the tax years of 2014 through 2017, HAYWOOD prepared and submitted tax returns for clients to the Internal Revenue Service that reported inflated deductions, fictitious credits, losses, schedules, incorrect filing statuses and claimed a tax refund that was entirely fraudulent and inaccurate.

Photo courtesy of the Department of Justice

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