Crime & Safety

Williamstown Man Charged With Filing False IRS Claims, Feds Say

The alleged crimes occurred in several different tax years, the U.S. Attorney General's office says.

CAMDEN, NJ – A Williamstown man was arrested Thursday on charges related to filing false claims against the IRS, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office said in a press release.

Christian L. Whittaker, 41, was indicted on those charges in federal court in Camden on Thursday, the press release said. Such charges each carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, the press release added.

It was unclear from the press release if Whittaker is in jail or if he was released.

Find out what's happening in West Deptfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“Whittaker knowingly and willfully prepared, electronically signed and filed with the IRS false U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Forms 1040) for the tax years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019,” the press release stated.

He allegedly utilized “fraudulent income amounts and business losses to prepare the returns, which resulted in $372,278 in federal refunds being paid to or on behalf of Whittaker,” the press release continued.

Find out what's happening in West Deptfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Whittaker faces similar charges in connection with New Jersey state tax returns that were filed for the tax years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 that would have paid Whittaker $49,208, according to the press release. However, the state Department of Treasury did not refund Whittaker any money during the tax years that are part of the investigation, the press release added.

---

Hi there, South Jersey! Got a news tip? Story idea? Email me the details at janel.miller@patch.com. You can also get Patch local and statewide news alerts sent directly to your phone by downloading our new app.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.