Earlier today, a 42-count indictment was unsealed at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, charging Damaris Beltre, a former tax preparer from Freeport, New York. The charges include wire fraud, aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Beltre is accused of preparing hundreds of false individual tax returns that resulted in approximately $12 million in losses to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). She was arrested today and will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields.
The arrest and charges were announced by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Harry T. Chavis Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New York.
“As alleged, the defendant’s fraudulent work as a tax preparer and in furtherance of a COVID-19 loan scheme cost the government millions of dollars," stated United States Attorney Durham. "My Office will vigorously prosecute individuals like the defendant who think the United States government is an easy target for financial crimes.”
Durham also acknowledged assistance from the United States Customs and Border Protection's New York Field Office and the Freeport Police Department.
“Beltre is charged with defrauding the government of millions of dollars to fatten her pockets," said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Chavis. "This IRS-CI investigation has brought her scheming to an end."
According to the indictment, Beltre owned three corporate entities: Botanica El Poder De San Miguel (Botanica), L&D Tax & Multi Service Corp. (L&D), and D&L Tax Service (D&L). She was also associated with Apollo Global Improvements LLC (Apollo).
From January 2021 to April 2024, Beltre allegedly prepared false Forms 1040 for submission to the IRS. Clients paid over $1 million for her services based on fraudulent refunds she claimed on their behalf. In one instance involving an undercover agent's tax return, she claimed a refund exceeding $14,000 instead of accurately reflecting a $205 liability.
In addition to tax fraud schemes using false dependents and unwarranted credits such as COVID-19 sick leave credits and fuel tax credits totaling tens of millions of dollars, Beltre engaged in PPP fraud by filing false payroll reports to obtain approximately $1 million in loan proceeds for personal expenses.
For example, she used around $22,500 from PPP funds for a house payment in June 2020; spent about $16,000 on purchasing a Honda CRV in May 2021; spent tens of thousands at jewelry stores between November 2021-February 2022; withdrew roughly $226k as cash from accounts under her control including those linked with Botanica or Apollo entities among others.
The allegations remain unproven until guilt is established through due process.
Assistant U.S Attorney Charles P Kelly leads prosecution efforts supported by Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroeder within Long Island Criminal Section handling this case against Defendant:
DAMARIS BELTRE
Age: 57
Freeport NY
E.D.N.Y Docket No.:25-CR-81(SJB)