PHILADELPHIA, PA — James Jean, 57, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 23, 2025, to three years in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for preparing fraudulent tax returns.
Jean pleaded guilty last September to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. From 2018 to 2020, he prepared 146 fraudulent returns for clients, falsely claiming energy credits for wind turbines, solar panels, and other energy-efficient improvements that were never made. These false claims led to clients understating their tax liabilities by over $700,000. Jean also admitted to filing falsified returns for himself during this period.
U.S. District Judge John F. Murphy ordered Jean to pay a $10,000 fine and restitution of $12,717. The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Abrams.
This sentence highlights federal authorities’ commitment to combatting tax fraud and protecting the integrity of the tax system.
