Six Charged in Mobile Tax Service Scheme Seeking $177 Million
A federal indictment alleges a local accounting firm filed over 9,000 false returns between 2021 and 2024, securing $81 million in payouts.
By Chloe Martin ·
Jennifer Beverly, 47, allegedly directed a Mobile-based tax preparation service to file nearly 10,000 false returns, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday. Beverly, who owned JB Accounting Tax Service LLC on Broad Street, faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The document identifies five other individuals as co-conspirators in the scheme.
The group included Kennedy Lawrence Stovall Winston, 42, a former University of Alabama basketball player and former employee of the firm. Winston also faces a separate federal fraud charge related to stolen Treasury checks. Four other former staff members named in the indictment are Jadasha Bowman, 28; Solida Lucille Green, 36; Paris Lovett, also known as Paris Johnson, 30; and Shermeka Benjamin, 38. All face conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
Prosecutors allege the defendants operated from approximately 2021 through 2024. During that period, they submitted more than 9,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking a total of $177 million in refunds. The Internal Revenue Service processed and issued $81 million of those claimed amounts, the indictment states. The fraud relied on improper claims for various deductions, including COVID-19 credits, fuel tax credits, credit repayments, estimated tax payments, and education credits.
The case is part of a larger operation coordinated by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the IRS, and the FBI. Maisha Horton, acting special agent in charge of the Atlanta Field Office of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, described the alleged abuse as staggering. She noted that preparers hold sensitive financial information and must maintain the integrity of the tax system rather than exploiting it for personal gain.
Christopher Flowers, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Mobile Field Office, said the charges reflect a close partnership among federal agencies. He stated that the allegations represent a serious breach of trust and that the agencies worked to identify the full scope of the activity. Flowers added that rebuilding public trust is a core priority for the FBI and that they will continue pursuing those who exploit financial systems.
No court dates have been set for the six defendants. If convicted, each faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Source: WOIO
