Overview
- Federal court documents charge LaMar Javis Burgess, 44, and his son LaMar Dazjar Burgess, 23, with conspiracy to defraud the United States and six counts each of making false claims.
- Prosecutors allege the pair prepared and filed false federal returns for themselves and clients, claiming millions of dollars in refunds while taking a portion of clients’ payouts as a fee.
- Authorities say the scheme relied on fabricated employer information and ineligible pandemic-era credits such as paid sick and family leave for the self-employed.
- The elder Burgess allegedly taught himself to prepare the fraudulent returns using online manuals and a guide called "TurboTax Sauce — The Self Employed Way," and the father was additionally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
- IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office said forensic accounting uncovered the scheme and warned that convictions could bring restitution, fines and prison time while similar cases target misuse of pandemic relief provisions.