Illinois man pleaded guilty to preparing false income tax returns for clients

BARRINGTON, Ill. (WICS) — An Illinois man pleaded guilty on Thursday to preparing false income tax returns for clients.

Gary Sandiego, of Barrington, owned and operated G. Sandiego and Associates, a tax preparation business.

For tax years 2014 through 2017, he prepared and filed false income tax returns for his clients. Sandiego either inflated or entirely fabricated expenses to falsely claim on the returns Residential Energy Credits and employment-related expense deductions.

As a result, Sandiego caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $4,586,154.

Sandiego is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 14. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count.

Sandiego also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.