The US Legal professional for the Southern District of Florida launched an official assertion concerning a Port Saint Lucie-based tax preparer responsible of tax fraud and mendacity on a naturalization software:
A Port Saint Lucie tax preparer was sentenced Feb. 11 to 36 months in federal jail for defrauding taxpayers of greater than $175,000 and trying to acquire U.S. citizenship by concealing his crimes from immigration officers.
U.S. District Decide Donald M. Middlebrooks imposed the sentence on Wislet Metayer, 45, and ordered him to pay $167,792.45 in restitution. A federal jury in West Palm Seaside beforehand convicted Metayer of 32 counts of aiding and aiding within the preparation of false tax returns and one rely of constructing a false assertion associated to naturalization.
“This defendant abused the belief of his purchasers and stole from the American taxpayer,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “He inflated refunds to extend his charges, costing the U.S. Treasury greater than $175,000. On the identical time, he tried to acquire U.S. citizenship whereas concealing his crimes. Fraud in our tax system and dishonesty in our immigration course of won’t be tolerated.”
“Whenever you flip tax types into instruments for bogus refunds —you’re stealing from each trustworthy taxpayer,” mentioned Particular Agent in Cost Ron Loecker of the IRS Prison Investigation, Florida Area Workplace. “Metayer selected to cheat the system and even lied in a bid for citizenship. A jury noticed by it, and the court docket delivered accountability. IRS Particular Brokers will proceed defending the integrity of the tax system and work with our companions to carry accountable those that interact in fraud.”
In accordance with court docket data, Metayer labored as knowledgeable tax preparer from roughly 2019 by 2025. To draw clients and justify inflated preparation charges, Metayer ready and filed dozens of federal revenue tax returns containing false enterprise losses, deductions, and credit—with out his clients’ information—with a view to enhance their refunds. On account of this scheme, the U.S. Treasury suffered losses exceeding $175,000.
Metayer is a Haitian nationwide and lawful everlasting resident of the U.S. In March 2024, whereas his tax fraud scheme was ongoing, Metayer utilized to turn into a naturalized U.S. citizen. As a part of the appliance course of, Metayer was required to reveal whether or not he had ever been convicted of, charged with, or arrested for a criminal offense or offense and whether or not he had ever dedicated a criminal offense or offense for which he was not arrested. Metayer hid his ongoing prison conduct and falsely denied committing any such offenses.
Metayer might be topic to removing from the U.S. after finishing his jail sentence.
U.S. Legal professional Reding Quiñones; Particular Agent in Cost Loecker; and Performing Particular Agent in Cost José R. Figueroa of Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.
IRS‑CI Florida Area Workplace and HSI Miami investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Legal professional Marc Osborne prosecuted the case.
