Florida man sentenced to more than seven years for fraudulent ‘gambling’ scheme

U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington sentenced a Tampa, Florida, man to seven years and six months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding and abetting the filing of false and fraudulent tax returns related to gambling winnings and losses.

Along with the sentencing, the court also entered an order for forfeiture in the amount of $1,354,757.64, proceeds of criminal conduct, and restitution in the amount of $15,028,309.89 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

George Tucker Jr. pleaded guilty on December 2, 2024, with the sentencing update provided on December 19 by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida.

According to when updating, court documents show that beginning in March 2021 and continuing through February 2024, the man “engaged in a scheme to defraud the IRS.”

Lakeland man’s tax returns included ‘fabricated figures regarding gambling winnings and losses’

The press release states: “Tucker prepared or assisted in the preparation of 316 false and fraudulent tax returns for 196 taxpayers, including himself, for tax years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

“The tax returns contained falsified Schedules A, B, 1 and 3, as well as fraudulent W-2G forms, which contained fabricated figures on gambling winnings and losses, as well as federal tax withholding amounts (based on fake game earnings). The false tax returns demanded substantial refunds from the IRS that taxpayers were not legally entitled to receive.

The total tax loss predicted in the tax returns prepared by the man was $59,941,751, while the actual loss was reported to be $15,028,309.89, which the IRS paid to taxpayers in the form of tax refunds or credits applied to previous debts.

The press release states that the man “personally profited $1,354,757.64 in the form of payments from his taxpaying clients or refunds he received directly from the IRS.” He allegedly used this money to enrich himself, notably by purchasing expensive jewelry.

“These defendants have spent their days looking for ways to cheat. Those who deliberately exploit our tax system for personal gain will face serious consequences,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation Florida Field Office. “These prosecutions reflect our agents’ dedication to protecting honest taxpayers and upholding justice for all Americans. »

Featured Image: Lakeland Skyline via Butter142 on Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0 license

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