Unlicensed Tax Preparer Fined For Filing False Return: Officials

LAUREL, MD — An unregistered tax preparer was convicted and fined on charges of willfully filing a false return, officials announced Monday. Authorities identified the man as Lovet Ako of Laurel. Ako pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2020, an incident report noted.

The write-up added that a judge sentenced Ako to 364 days in prison, but he suspended them all. The press release explained that means Ako will not head to prison, but he will face a two-year probation. The judge also ordered Ako to pay $35,551 in fines, interest and back taxes, the prosecution stated.

Ako owned and operated a tax preparation business called Money Back Taxes during tax year 2017, officials detailed. Authorities mentioned that Ako charged a fee for his services, but he was not a registered tax preparer as required by law. Ako did not include any of his income from the business on his personal tax return, prosecutors reported.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh informed that the case was investigated by the Comptroller of Maryland’s Field Enforcement Bureau and the Montgomery County Police Department. Frosh wrote that the case was prosecuted in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County by the Fraud and Corruption Unit of his office.

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