Florida man sentenced in $60m gambling fraud scheme

• A Florida man prepared or assisted in the preparation of falsified documents containing fabricated figures for gambling winnings and losses
• Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of the case with the IRS Criminal Investigation Florida Field Office, revealed that anyone who tries to exploit the system will face serious consequences
• The tax preparer was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, ordered to forfeit nearly $1.4m and pay restitution to the IRS

One man from Lakeland, Florida, who prepared tax return documents, was recently sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

The person who pleaded guilty last year in December was involved in a $60m gambling fraud scheme that personally brought him profits of more than $1m.

Defrauding the IRS

The criminal case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Ross Roberts.

Per court documents, the case involves George Tucker, Jr., who, starting from March 2021 through February 2024, engaged in actions to defraud the IRS.

During that time, the Lakeland man prepared or assisted in the preparation of 316 false and fraudulent tax returns for a total of 196 taxpayers, including himself.

The falsified documents covered the tax years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida, contained "falsified Schedules A, B, 1, and 3, as well as fraudulent Forms W-2G, which contained fabricated figures for gambling winnings and losses, and federal tax withholding amounts (based on the fake gambling winnings)."

Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation Florida Field Office, commented: "These defendants spent their days looking for ways to cheat. Those who deliberately exploit our tax system for personal gain will face serious consequences."

Moreover, the Special Agent said: "These prosecutions reflect the dedication of our agents to protecting honest taxpayers and upholding justice for all Americans."

The defendant received a prison sentence

The actions of Tucker, aided by false documents, resulted in false tax returns requests to the IRS for "substantial" refunds that the taxpayers weren't "legally entitled to receive."

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida, in total, the Lakeland man's total intended tax loss from tax returns was $59,941,751.

However, the actual loss was $15,028,309.89, money which the IRS paid back to taxpayers, including Tucker himself.

As noted, he personally profited from $1,354,757.64, based on the court documents.

What's more, the Lakeland man used the ill-gained proceeds to buy expensive jewelry.

In light of those actions, U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington sentenced Tucker to seven years and six months in federal prison over conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as aiding and assisting in the filing of false and fraudulent tax returns.

In addition to time in prison, the man was ordered to forfeit $1,354,757.64 in proceeds gained from criminal activities and the restitution of $15,028,309.89 to the IRS.

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