Six Mobile Tax Preparers Indicted in Alleged $177 Million Federal Tax Fraud Scheme

More Than 9,000 Tax Returns Allegedly Submitted; Approximately $81 Million in Refunds Issued

Mobile, AL (BuzzReport) — A massive alleged federal tax fraud scheme involving more than 9,000 tax returns, over $177 million in fraudulent refund claims, and approximately $81 million in refunds issued has led to the indictment of six individuals connected to a Mobile tax preparation business.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama announced that six defendants have been indicted in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the preparation and submission of false federal income tax returns.

At the center of the investigation is Jennifer Beverly, 47, of Mobile, who allegedly owned and operated JB Accounting Tax Service LLC, a tax preparation business that provided services in Mobile from approximately 2022 through 2024.

Five individuals identified as employees of the business were also indicted: Jadasha Bowman, 28; Kennedy Lawrence Stovall Winston, 42; Solida Lucille Green, 36; Paris Lovett, also known as Paris Johnson, 30; and Shermeka Benjamin, 38.

According to the federal indictment, the defendants allegedly participated in a scheme spanning approximately 2021 through 2024 that involved preparing and submitting thousands of false and fraudulent federal tax returns in an effort to obtain millions of dollars in refunds from the federal government.

More Than $177 Million in Allegedly Fraudulent Refund Claims

Federal prosecutors allege that the defendants submitted more than 9,000 tax returns containing false information designed to improperly generate federal tax refunds.

The allegedly fraudulent returns included claims involving Schedule C business income and expenses, COVID-19-related tax credits, fuel tax credits, credit repayments, estimated tax payments, Schedule A deductions, Schedule 3 credits, and education credits.

Investigators allege that these tax provisions were manipulated to create refund claims that taxpayers were not legally entitled to receive.

The indictment states that the alleged scheme sought more than $177 million in federal tax refunds. Of that amount, approximately $81 million was reportedly issued by the IRS.

The figures underscore the scale of the alleged operation and the potential financial impact on American taxpayers.

Federal authorities have not publicly detailed how much money each defendant allegedly received or the specific role each individual is accused of playing in the preparation and submission of the fraudulent returns.

Federal Authorities: Alleged Scheme Represents Serious Breach of Trust

The investigation involves the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Maisha Horton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office, said the allegations represent a significant abuse of the federal tax system.

“The allegations in this case reveal a staggering abuse of the federal tax system, involving more than 9,000 allegedly fraudulent tax returns, over $177 million in refund claims, and approximately $81 million in refunds issued,” Horton said.

Horton emphasized that tax preparers are entrusted with sensitive financial information and are expected to uphold the integrity of the nation’s tax system.

She said IRS Criminal Investigation, working alongside the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, remains committed to uncovering fraudulent schemes, tracing financial proceeds, and holding those responsible accountable.

Christopher R. Flowers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Mobile Field Office, also highlighted the coordinated federal investigation.

“Today’s coordinated arrests highlight the strong partnership between the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation,” Flowers said.

Flowers described the allegations as a serious breach of trust and said federal agencies worked together to identify the extent of the alleged fraudulent activity.

He added that the FBI will continue pursuing individuals accused of exploiting financial and tax systems for personal gain.

Six Defendants Face Conspiracy and Wire Fraud Charges

All six defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces individual wire fraud counts outlined in the indictment.

The charges are as follows:

• Jennifer Beverly: 63 counts of wire fraud.
• Jadasha Bowman: 11 counts of wire fraud.
• Kennedy Lawrence Stovall Winston: 5 counts of wire fraud.
• Solida Lucille Green: 11 counts of wire fraud.
• Paris Lovett, also known as Paris Johnson: 11 counts of wire fraud.
• Shermeka Benjamin: 4 counts of wire fraud.

The indictment also includes a forfeiture notice identifying assets that prosecutors may seek to recover if the defendants are convicted.

Those assets include money judgments representing the proceeds each defendant allegedly obtained through the charged offenses, as well as 12 real properties belonging to one or more of the defendants.

If convicted, the defendants face penalties authorized by law, including potential imprisonment, supervised release, fines, special assessments, and restitution, as applicable.

Federal Government Expands Fraud Enforcement Efforts

The case comes as the Department of Justice continues expanding its efforts to investigate and prosecute fraud involving federal programs and taxpayer funds.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division, known as the Fraud Division.

The division is focused on investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of committing fraud against the American people.

The department’s broader efforts also support President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a government-wide initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance that seeks to address fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.

Federal authorities say the Mobile tax fraud investigation demonstrates the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in identifying alleged financial crimes and protecting public resources.

The indictment marks a significant development in the investigation, which federal authorities say involved thousands of allegedly fraudulent tax filings and tens of millions of dollars in refunds.