Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. has announced the indictment of 48-year-old Jonathan Ernest Girodes, accused of defrauding clients through his tax preparation business, American Accounting Services, Inc. According to a release from the Manhattan D.A.’s office, Girodes faces charges including two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree.
As per the press release, Girodes is alleged to have used his position to obtain at least $250,000 from clients by taking advantage of their trust. He targeted clients who had experienced a one-time financial gain, offering to significantly reduce their tax liabilities by managing their cases with tax authorities. The indictment states that he persuaded clients to make advance payments to be held in "escrow," which he said would be used for negotiations with tax agencies on their behalf. These activities reportedly occurred between October 4, 2022, and July 31.
The indictment states that the victims, which included an elderly couple, a medical student who inherited assets, and another pair handling post-mortem finances, were told that Girodes would secure an offer in compromise with the IRS and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. It also states that Girodes kept the advance payments and requested additional funds, citing authority requirements.
When the victims provided the additional requested funds, Girodes is accused of continuing to use those funds for his personal benefit. Assistant D.A. Benjamin Reed, leading the prosecution, states that the victims were left responsible for their original tax bills, which increased due to penalties and interest following Girodes’ alleged actions.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has actively pursued tax preparers accused of compromising the integrity of the nation’s tax systems. Special Agent in Charge Michael Carpenter stated in a press release, "We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who seek to corrupt federal tax administration are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Assistant D.A.s Kelly Thomas, Kofi Sansculotte, Judy Salwen, and Executive Assistant D.A. Jodie Kane are overseeing the case, with investigators from the D.A.’s office involved in key roles. The collaboration between the Manhattan D.A., New York State Tax Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and TIGTA reflects a coordinated effort to address the case. The D.A.'s office is contacting potential victims and has provided a contact number for the Financial Frauds Bureau to facilitate reporting.
