Hollywood Man Pleads Guilty To Tax Refund Scam
FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A Hollywood man has pled guilty to his part of a million dollar fraudulent tax refund scam.
Judes Celestin, 36, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to the plea documents, Celestin set up two Florida corporations, JC Easy Tax, Inc. and Tax Filing Made Easy, and listed himself as president. He opened and controlled bank accounts for these two corporations at various banks in South Florida.
With the businesses in place, prosecutor say Celestin was then able to file false individual income tax returns in the names of individuals without their knowledge. Celestin collected approximately one million dollars in tax refunds which were direct deposited into the bank accounts for JC Easy Tax and Tax Filing Made Easy.
Celestin then withdrew this money for his own personal use.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 13th, Celestin faces a maximum term of 22 years in prison.
