Long Island tax preparer convicted in fraud scheme that cost IRS more than $1 million

A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Frantzson Saintilien, a 65-year-old Long Island tax preparer, on 18 counts of helping prepare fraudulent tax returns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

The jury returned its verdict Oct. 9 after a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan. Prosecutors said Saintilien used fictitious business expenses, fabricated losses and fraudulent fuel tax credits to reduce his clients’ tax liabilities and inflate their refunds.

“The defendant is a serial fraudster who was masquerading as a tax preparer, but instead of performing an important service, he victimized clients who trusted him and willfully stole government funds from the IRS,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said in a statement.

Saintilien operated a business offering multiple services at 1 Elmont Road in Elmont, New York, where he prepared tax returns for clients.

Between 2019 and 2023, Saintilien filed fraudulent federal income tax returns covering tax years 2018 through 2022, prosecutors said.

The returns included false claims for fuel tax credits, losses from the sale of business assets and business expenses. Those claims caused the Internal Revenue Service to issue refunds larger than clients were entitled to receive or accept less tax than they owed.

In many cases, Saintilien secretly diverted portions of the improper refunds to himself, according to prosecutors.

The indictment attributed at least $114,000 in tax losses to the charged returns. Prosecutors estimate the broader scheme cost the federal government well over $1 million.

Saintilien faces up to 54 years in prison and financial penalties when sentenced. The Justice Department did not announce a sentencing date.