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Date: 07-12-2021

Case Style:

United States of America v. Karl Burden-El Bey

Case Number: 4:20-cr-17

Judge: David J. Novak

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Norfolk County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney:


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Description: Newport, Virginia criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, theft of government funds, and failing to file federal income tax returns.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least 2013 through 2019, Karl Burden-El Bey prepared false tax returns for clients. On his clients’ returns, Burden-El Bey claimed false dependents, residential energy credits, gifts to charity, deductions, and child and dependent care expenses in order to inflate refunds obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Burden-El Bey also stole $5,000 by directing a portion of his client’s refunds into his personal bank account. As to his own taxes, Burden-El Bey did not file individual tax returns for 2013 through 2017 with the IRS, despite being legally obligated to do so.

“The evidence at trial demonstrated that the defendant’s criminal conduct in this case spanned several years and included assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, stealing government funds, and failing to file personal federal income tax returns even though he held a trusted position as a tax preparer,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our Office expresses its appreciation to the trial team, and we are grateful for the jury’s verdict, which holds the defendant accountable for betraying the public’s trust and unlawfully enriching himself through this multi-year fraud scheme.”

Burden-El Bey faces a statutory maximum sentence of ten years in prison for theft of government funds, three years in prison for each count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, and one year in prison for each count of failing to file a tax return when sentenced on December 7. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; General Stuart M. Goldberg, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division; and Darrell J. Waldon, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Brian Samuels and Trial Attorneys Grace Albinson and Francesca Bartolomey of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

T.26 USC 7206(2) - Aiding in the Preparation of False Tax Returns \ T.18 USC 981(a)(1)(C); T.28 USC 2461(c) - Forfeiture
(1)
T.26 USC 7206(2) - Aiding in the Preparation of False Tax Returns
(2-30)
T.18 USC 641 and 2 - Theft of Government Funds
(31)
T.26 USC 7203 - Failure to File a Tax Return
(32-36)

Outcome: 07/09/2021 100 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge David J. Novak:Jury Trial as to Karl Burden-El Bey held on 7/9/2021. Matter came on for jury trial (Day Three). Government adduced evidence and rested. Deft's Rule 29 Motion DENIED. Defendant rested (no evidence adduced. Evidence concluded. Closing arguments heard. Jury charged by Court and alternate jurors discharged. Jury retired. Inquiries of jurors received and copy of requested exhibited provided (Government Exhibit 64). Jury returned verdict of GUILTY as charged in Counts 1-36. PSR Ordered and Sentencing Guideline to entered. Sentencing set for December 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. All exhibits returned to counsel. Defendant remanded to custody. (Court Reporter Tracy Stroh, OCR.)(cgar) (Entered: 07/11/2021)
07/09/2021 101 Sentencing Guideline Order as to Karl Burden-El Bey. Signed by District Judge David J. Novak on 7/9/2021. (cgar) (Entered: 07/11/2021)
07/09/2021 102 JURY VERDICT (REDACTED PURSUANT TO E-GOVT ACT) as to Karl Burden-El Bey (1) Guilty on Count 1,2-30,31,32-36. (cgar) (Entered: 07/11/2021)

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