Former tax preparer accused of stealing $400,000 from clients

By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer

A former Boone County income tax preparer faces federal fraud charges for allegedly bilking clients and the government out of approximately $400,000.

Mario Carrillo, 42, was charged this week with 20 counts, including submitting false income tax claims, mail fraud and wire fraud.

According to an indictment, Carrillo, owner of You and Me Tax Service, used his business address, 128 N. State St., Belvidere to receive false income tax returns intended for his clients.

The complaint alleges Carrillo, from 2004 to 2009, prepared various sets of tax returns for several clients. One set of paperwork indicated clients would receive a small return. Clients were under the impression Carrillo filed their returns with the IRS.

However, Carrillo, according to investigators, did not file actual taxes, but sent false returns to the government and pocketed the inflated refund checks.

Carrillo allegedly told the government clients lived at his business address, so checks would be sent there. The indictment says Carillo also used his bank account so refunds were directly deposited to him and the business.

Carrillo paid some of his clients their smaller returns, but failed to pay others, the indictment said.

As of Friday, Jan. 28, Carrillo, formerly of Poplar Grove, was in custody, awaiting a Wednesday, Feb. 2 bail hearing.

Carrillo could face 30 or more years in prison if convicted. It is not known if he has an attorney.