An Irving, Texas-based tax preparer has pleaded guilty to preparing returns that caused the government an $8.3-million tax loss. Preparer Ventura pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. He prepared returns that included false education credits and Schedule C expenses.
The charges cover the preparer’s actions from at least 2012 through at least 2015 when he owned and operated several tax preparation businesses located in Irving. In 2014, Ventura operated AJJ Tax and More, along with a second business Uptown Multi Services, which he co-owned with his co-defendant Mario Melendez.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 14. Ventura faces a maximum five-year prison term on the conspiracy charge and a three-year term for the aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return count.
Melendez pleaded guilty in November 2018 to conspiring to defraud the United States and to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and is awaiting sentencing.