IRS Employee Arrested for Wire Fraud

An Internal Revenue Service employee who prepared tax returns on the side has been arrested on wire fraud charges in Florida.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Charles Corbitt, a 36-year-old IRS employee in West Palm Beach, Fla. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

According to the complaint, Corbitt prepared fraudulent tax returns for several individuals for profit, while he was employed by the IRS. The tax returns claimed Residential Energy Credits on Form 5695 and inflated itemized deductions on Schedule A to which the taxpayer was not entitled.

Once the returns were e-filed, Corbitt received part of the tax refund as a fee, based on either the amount of the refund or a flat fee.

This case is being investigated by the IRS and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Malisa Chokshi.

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