The Internal Revenue Service says Leon Haynes of Teaneck, N.J., filed about 1,387 returns on behalf of himself and clients claiming the credits. 

Haynes allegedly told clients they were eligible for government funds simply because they had businesses. He then is accused of submitting forms to the IRS grossly overstating the number of employees and wages paid. He also allegedly sought funds for three of his own companies.

Haynes sought about $124,751,995 in tax refunds for his own companies and business clients. Haynes received multiple checks for slightly more than $1 million for his own companies and $31.6 million in refunds to his clients. The IRS also claims he also charged clients as a fee of as much as 15 percent of refunds they received. 

Haynes faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false return and 20 years in prison for mail fraud if convicted.

Bob Scott

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Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards.  Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He  has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that.  A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind