Monroe Township Tax Preparer Convicted for Failing to File Tax Return
On March 6, 2024, in Monroe Township, NJ, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, Chief Griffin M. Banos of the Monroe Township Police Department, and the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation made a significant announcement regarding the sentencing of a long-time tax preparer. This individual pleaded guilty to the serious offense of failure to file a tax return.
The case unfolded in the summer of 2021 when authorities received a flurry of reports about numerous questionable personal income tax returns filed on behalf of Middlesex County residents. A thorough investigation conducted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monroe Township Police Department, and the New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation uncovered the activities of Jerry R. Jones, an 82-year-old resident of Monroe. It was revealed that Jones had filed hundreds of fraudulent income tax returns, often making false claims for deductions, business expenses, or exemptions that were not legitimate. These deceptive filings frequently led to refunds or underpayment of income tax.
Further scrutiny into Jones’ tax preparation business led to the issuance of an indictment by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on August 16, 2022. The indictment charged Jones with second-degree possession of False Government Documents, specifically fraudulent birth certificates and a stamp for the United States Internal Revenue Service. These incriminating items were discovered during a search of his residence.
Subsequent investigation exposed Jones’ failure to file a tax return for the income he earned from preparing and filing tax returns for others. Consequently, Jones admitted guilt to the charge of failure to file a tax return. On March 1, 2024, Jones received his sentence from the Honorable Andrea Carter, J.S.C. He was handed a five-year state prison term, which was suspended in exchange for Jones paying the New Jersey Treasury the amount owed in connection with his tax evasion. In addition, as part of his sentencing, Jones agreed to refrain from preparing tax returns for anyone other than himself or providing financial or accounting advice to individuals.
Individuals who enlisted Jerry R. Jones’ tax services are urged to review their previous tax returns for potential irregularities. For further assistance, concerned parties may reach out to Detective Marcus Goode of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4274. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences individuals may face when engaging in fraudulent tax practices, and underscores the importance of compliance with tax laws and regulations.
