Corry Pearson, who operated Tax King in West Palm Beach, FL was found guilty of eight counts of aggravated identity theft, four counts of money laundering, 16 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in what prosecutors say is a $6.1 million tax fraud scheme.
Pearson, who was a former pizza deliveryman with no accounting experience, opened Tax King with two employees, Stephane Anor and Irene Wilson, who both previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
Using Pearson’s business and home tax prep software, the three filed over 1,600 tax returns on behalf of people whose identity was stolen, including prison inmates, during the years 2012-2014. At that time, the quick-refund program with the IRS was in effect and Internal Revenue Service agents would automatically send refunds without verifying people’s identities. The IRS paid out $1.3M in refunds.
Pearson could face up to a maximum of 20-40 years in prison.
