Tax Fraud, COVID-19 Schemes Land Salem Man In Prison

BOSTON — Roosevelt Fernandez, a Salem-based tax preparer, was sentenced Wednesday in a Boston court to five years in prison and three years of supervised release for his involvement in two fraud schemes, the Department of Justice reported.

In as early as 2018, Fernandez was using his Salem business Soluciones Multi Service to file fraudulent tax returns. He had the refunds deposited into an account in the business' name, according to U.S. Attorney Racheal Rollins.

In May 2020, the same bank account received fraudulent stimulus funds authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Rollins said. Fernandez also later received funds from the Small Business Administration totaling nearly $300,000.

The investigation revealed some 40 instances of tax return fraud connected to Fernandez. His requested refunds totaled more than $620,000.

In addition to sentencing Fernandez to prison time, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Stearns also ordered Fernandez to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution and forfeiture.