Oregon CPA admits to filing false tax return for bookie

A Redmond, Oregon-based CPA has pleaded guilty to assisting in filing a false tax return on behalf of a client who admitted to running an illegal gambling operation, the Department of Justice announced.

Michael W. Holland is scheduled to be sentenced on November 24 in U.S. District Court in Eugene on the charge, which involves his preparation of a tax return for Roy R. Zitek, of Redmond, who pled guilty five years ago to running an illegal sports betting operating and filing a fake return for the 1998 tax year.

Prosecutors contended that Holland knew the return was false, as it left out Zitek's income for his bookmaking operation, which cost the government an estimated $42,000.

“Tax professionals who fail to adhere to their professional obligations by helping their clients in defrauding the IRS will be held accountable,” Teri Alexander, the IRS assistant special agent in charge of Oregon, said in a statement.

Holland faces up to three years in prison and a $100,000 fine.