Practical and Practice issues for Professionals who practice in the area of taxation. Moral, social and economic issues relating to taxes, including international issues, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, state tax issues, etc. Not for "tax protestor" issues, which should be posted in the "tax protestor" forum above. The advice or opinion given herein should not be relied on for any purpose whatsoever. Also examines cookie-cutter deals that have no economic substance but exist only to generate losses, as marketed by everybody from solo practitioner tax lawyers to the major accounting firms.
This guy claimed to be a CPA and a Lawyer, he advertised his services as a "Notorio Publico" (I may not have spelled that right,) any way in Mexico that means you are a highly trained lawyer, her you are a Notary. The State sued him and he faded out of the picture, the AG in Tennessee went on a cruisade about "Notorio Publico's" and now the AG has moved on to his latest cruisade flip flopping on health care.
Today he was indicted by the Middle District of Tennessee.
Nashville, Tenn.– April 19, 2010 – A federal grand jury indicted Elmer Virula, of Nashville, Tennessee on April 8, 2010, charging him with 16 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, announced Edward M. Yarbrough, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Virula was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Hawaiian Gardens, California and was released pending his arraignment in Nashville.
According to the indictment, Virula prepared fraudulent federal income tax returns for others to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service for calendar years 2003 through 2006. The returns claimed numerous false deductions and tax credits including fraudulently claimed fuel tax, education, and telephone excise tax credits.
Virula faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison and fine of $250,000 on each count if convicted.
This investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blanche B. Cook
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
TN AG Press Release wrote:DEFENDANTS IN ALLEGED UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW IN MIDDLE
TENNESSEE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AGREES TO STOP UNLAWFUL
CONDUCT
A Middle Tennessee man and two companies allegedly providing legal services without a
license to members of the Hispanic immigrant community have agreed to stop the alleged
unlawful conduct and to provide audit findings to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office and
Division of Consumer Affairs.
Attorney General Bob Cooper on behalf of Division of Consumer Affairs filed suit against Elmer
Virula, TPS Tax Professional Services, Inc., and Office Professional Services, Inc. Feb. 29. The
defendants have agreed to submit requested financial documents within 10 days to the Attorney General’s Office for examination. A trial date on the matter has not yet been set.
The defendants are accused of unauthorized practice of law for allegedly providing services fromtheir offices located on Billingsgate Road in Antioch, South Mountain Street in Smithville, andNolensville Pike and Thompson Lane in Nashville. The State’s lawsuit alleges the defendants
falsely told consumers that Elmer Virula is an attorney and certified public accountant in the
State of Tennessee. The complaint also alleges the defendants misled consumers, claiming they
could provide legal services such as immigration document preparation and also offering
marriage licenses and certificates, which were falsified.
Sounds like EIC fraud to me, but there's a secondary scam with claiming "dependents" who don't meet the five tests in order to sponsor them into the USA. I explained that to a bunch of embassy folks a few years ago when adventuring forth for the feds.
Goodness is about what you do. Not what you pray to. T. Pratchett
Always be a moving target. L.M. Bujold