Phoenix tax preparer gets 18 months for manipulating returns

PHOENIX (AP) — A Phoenix tax preparer has been sentenced to prison for falsifying returns and defrauding the federal government of more than $120,000.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Arizona said Wednesday that 58-year-old Oscar Hernandez has been ordered to serve 18 months in prison. Hernandez must also pay roughly $121,500 in restitution.

Federal prosecutors say Hernandez admitted to filing at least 44 fraudulent tax returns between 2010 and 2013.

Through his business, R Robin Tax Services, Hernandez manipulated his clients' returns. He would do this by adding false dependents, claiming false exemptions and credits and improperly claiming "head of household" filing status.