A New Jersey tax preparer pleaded guilty this week to defrauding the Internal Revenue Service out of $4.49 million in tax refunds by filing false returns using stolen identities, authorities said.
Omar Khater, 33, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, authorities said.
“Khater is now admitting he worked with others to falsely file returns based on stolen identities and pocketed the refunds,” FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “We trust tax preparers with a tremendous amount of vital information about our lives, and when they use it to break the law it’s unsettling to say the least.”
A relative, Walid Khater, 38, of Arizona, was charged in the case as well. His case is pending.
Federal authorities said both Khaters worked together and with others to steal identities and file false tax returns to collect refunds. The Khaters filed false tax returns that indicated gambling or lottery winnings, sometimes in the millions, that asserted tax withholdings on the proceeds eligible for refunds, authorities said.
The Khaters field the returns using names and personal information without the victims knowing, and funneled $4.49 million in illegal tax refunds to bank accounts they controlled, authorities said.
“Mr. Khater deeply regrets his conduct, apologizes to the victims, and is committed to living a law-abiding life,” Omar’s defense attorney Robert Scrivo said on behalf of his client Wednesday.
An attorney for Walid Khater did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
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