Local Tax Preparer and Business Owner Sentenced to 36 Months for Defrauding the IRS of Over $700,000
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 04, 2025
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
Jack Lee Oliver, age 56, of Rivesville, West Virginia, was sentenced Monday to 36 months in federal prison for defrauding the Internal Revenue Service of $708,538.
Oliver was found guilty by a jury in October 2024 of 26 counts involving the preparation and filing of false tax returns.
Oliver is the owner of an insurance sales and tax return preparation business, Insurance Depot, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Oliver prepared tax returns for clients claiming business losses for non-existent businesses and prepared returns for clients who did have businesses, but falsely inflated expenses to cause a business loss, without the knowledge of the clients. In both instances, his actions caused the clients to receive tax refunds to which they were not entitled. Oliver, claimed the foster son of one of his clients on his tax returns, resulting in thousands of dollars in refundable credits to which he was not entitled.
Oliver will serve one year of supervised release following his prison sentence. He was also ordered to cooperate with the IRS to pay back taxes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod Douglas and Eleanor Hurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
