Berlin Man Enters Plea In Tax Return Fraud Case

BERLIN, CT - A Berlin man pleaded guilty today to one count of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, according to a statement from John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Gelin Sterling, 31, is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 5, when he will face a maximum of three years of imprisonment.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Sterling owned and operated Sterling Tax Plus, LLC, and prepared tax returns for numerous clients that included false mileage expenses, false charitable donations, and other false income items from 2014 to 2017.

Sterling has agreed to pay restitution of $250,000 to the IRS. As a result of his fraudulent conduct, many of his clients’ filed tax returns will need to be amended. The amount of Sterling’s restitution may be reduced as his clients resolve their own tax liability with the IRS, according to Durham's statement.

Sterling is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.