CNBNews

PHILADELPHIA PA --A multi-count indictment returned by the federal grand jury was unsealed on September 17, 2020. The indictment charged Jean Coq, of Philadelphia, PA, with filing false income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.

According to the indictment, Jean Coq was the operator of JC Business Center, a tax preparation business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The indictment alleges that Jean Coq prepared and filed false federal income tax returns for tax years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Jean Coq filed these tax returns claiming fictitious or falsely inflated Schedules A, Itemized Deductions, for client-taxpayers. The Schedules A claimed inflated state and local income taxes paid, false or inflated gifts to charity, false or inflated unreimbursed employee business expenses, and false or inflated miscellaneous deductions. Jean Coq also claimed adjustments to gross income for personal property rentals “PPR” that did not occur. These falsities resulted in the filing of false tax returns claiming tax refunds due to the client- taxpayers they otherwise were not entitled to receive.

“As a tax return preparer, Jean Coq had a duty to his clients to prepare tax returns that were complete, accurate and in compliance with the law,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso. “Mr. Coq made a conscious decision to put his clients at risk for a quick profit. The charges against him should serve as a reminder to other unscrupulous tax return prepares out there.”

During his initial appearance and arraignment that was held on September 18, 2020, Jean Coq pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. He was released on bail in the amount of $25,000 O/R.

The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bea Witzleben.