MIAMI — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Florida, Southern), published as received.

MIAMI – On Jan. 6, Juan Mendieta, of Miami-Dade County, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in October 2024 to one count of criminal conspiracy and four counts of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns.

Beginning in 2019 and continuing through at least 2023, Mendieta conspired with others to prepare fraudulent tax returns for his clients by using false business losses and expenses. These false items resulted in inflated federal tax refunds.  For multiple clients, Mendieta prepared two different sets of tax returns.  One set directed certain refunds from the IRS to Mendieta’s clients. Mendieta provided this set to his clients and misrepresented to them that he would file these tax returns with the IRS.  Instead, Mendieta filed a second set of tax returns, which directed even greater refunds to bank accounts that he and a co-conspirator controlled.

The IRS has identified at least 29 tax filings that fraudulently inflated refunds, which Mendieta filed on behalf of at least 13 separate clients during the conspiracy period.  As a result of Mendieta’s fraudulent conduct, the IRS is entitled to over $11 million in restitution.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga.

IRS-CI Miami Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Koffsky and Katherine Guthrie prosecuted this case.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20320.

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