Financial foul play has landed two tax preparers in prison after participating in a scam to file false tax returns. Napoleon Tabot, 60, of Chandler, Arizona, and Lovet Ayuk-Ako, 40, of Silver Spring, Maryland, were dealt sentences of 18 months and 30 months, respectively, in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, with their sentences announced earlier this month.
According to court documents, Tabot recruited taxpayers from his place of work in Hollywood, Florida for Ayuk-Ako's tax preparation outfit, Money Back Tax, LLC. These documents further clarify how Tabot was then able to egregiously share personal identifying information (PII) and tax data with Ayuk-Ako and fugitive Arnold Zio for the purpose of preparing the fraudulent returns. The IRS-Criminal Investigation unit in Miami unveiled how the trio had managed to siphon sizeable refunds into their own bank accounts, orchestrating a loss exceeding $500,000 for the United States government.
Following their prison terms, both men are required to serve three years of supervised release. Additionally, they must pay a hefty sum of $397,818.00 in restitution. Contrasted against this financial burden is the stark reminder of tax fraud's impact on both the integrity of the system and the trust that individuals place in tax professionals.
While Tabot and Ayuk-Ako have been brought to justice, a third conspirator, Arnold Zio, continues to elude capture. The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that all defendants should be considered innocent until certainly proven guilty in a court of law. The Justice Department holds the position that the sentences imposed underscore a commitment to prosecuting those who undermine public confidence in the nation's tax system.
Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line, with the IRS-CI Miami, oversaw the investigation that brought the scheme to light. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton was assigned the task of prosecuting the case. Public records regarding the case are accessible on the website for the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, as well as the PACER system, under case number 23-cr-60077.
