Cinnaminson Tax Preparer Defrauded Government Out Of $200K: Feds

CINNAMINSON, NJ — The owner of a Cinnaminson-based tax preparation business has admitted to helping her clients file falsified tax returns that cost the federal government more than $200,000, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Gloria Valentin, 48 of Cherry Hill, pleaded guilty by teleconference before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging her with one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.

Valentin owned, operated and approved all of the income tax returns filed by GNG Business Solutions in Cinnaminson, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

Between 2013 and 2016, she prepared about 60 income tax returns for 27 tax clients, according to authorities. Those tax returns contained similar patterns of false and fictitious itemized deductions and unreimbursed employee business expenses, according to authorities.

Valentin admitted that she and her employees made up unreimbursed employee business expenses when none were incurred, authorities said. This resulted in larger returns for her clients and a loss in tax collections of $201,896 to the government.

She faces a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8.