RB TAX RETURN PREPARER PLEADS "GUILTY" TO TAX CHARGES
Released:  August 30, 2001

Tax Director Marie Okamura announced that on Aug 30, 2001, Rosalinda DeGuzman of RB Tax Service pled guilty to 6 felony counts before Circuit Court Judge Michael Town.
    
In Oct 2000, Rosalinda DeGuzman was charged by a Honolulu grand jury for 30 felony tax violations of false and fraudulent statements; aiding and abetting, theft in the second degree and theft in the third degree.
    
In a plea agreement, Rosalina DeGuzman pled guilty to six felony counts of false and fraudulent statements; aiding and abetting in the preparation of false income tax returns.  The returns prepared were false because of overstated and fictitious itemized deductions which caused higher tax refunds paid by the Department of Taxation, State of Hawaii.

In the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of incarceration to not exceed six months and a fine of up to $5,000 per count for a total fine of $30,000.  

Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov 20, 2001 before Circuit Court Judge Michael Town.

Tax Director Okamura continues to encourage taxpayers to voluntarily file their tax returns.  The department will generally not initiate a criminal investigation when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other omissions. 

RB TAX RETURN PREPARER PLEADS "GUILTY" TO TAX CHARGES
RELEASED: August 23, 2001

Tax Director Marie Okamura announced that on Aug 23, 2001, Richard Basuel II, the son of Richard J. Basuel of RB Tax Service pled guilty to 6 felony counts before Circuit Court Judge Michael Town.
 
In Oct 2000, Richard J. Basuel, II was charged by a Honolulu grand jury for 15 felony tax violations of false and fraudulent statements; aiding and abetting, theft in the second degree and theft in the third degree.
 
In a plea agreement, Richard J. Basuel, II, pled guilty to six felony counts of false and fraudulent statements; aiding and abetting in the preparation of false income tax returns.  The returns prepared were false because of overstated and fictitious itemized deductions which caused higher tax refunds paid by the Department of Taxation, State of Hawaii.

In the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of incarceration to not exceed six months and a fine of up to $5,000 per count for a total fine of $30,000. 

Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov 16, 2001 before Circuit Court Judge Michael Town.

Tax Director Okamura continues to encourage taxpayers to voluntarily file their tax returns.  The department will generally not initiate a criminal investigation when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other omissions.