{"id":168611,"date":"2026-02-25T14:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/168611\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:00:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:00:14","slug":"port-saint-lucie-tax-preparer-sentenced-to-prison-for-tax-fraud-and-lying-on-naturalization-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/168611\/","title":{"rendered":"Port Saint Lucie Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud and Lying on Naturalization Application"},"content":{"rendered":"

The US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida released an official statement <\/a>regarding a Port Saint Lucie-based tax preparer guilty of tax fraud and lying on a naturalization application:<\/p>\n

A Port Saint Lucie tax preparer was sentenced Feb. 11 to 36 months in federal prison for defrauding taxpayers of more than $175,000 and attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship by concealing his crimes from immigration officials.<\/p>\n

U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks imposed the sentence on Wislet Metayer, 45, and ordered him to pay $167,792.45 in restitution. A federal jury in West Palm Beach previously convicted Metayer of 32 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and one count of making a false statement related to naturalization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis defendant abused the trust of his clients and stole from the American taxpayer,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Qui\u00f1ones for the Southern District of Florida. \u201cHe inflated refunds to increase his fees, costing the U.S. Treasury more than $175,000. At the same time, he attempted to obtain U.S. citizenship while concealing his crimes. Fraud in our tax system and dishonesty in our immigration process will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you turn tax forms into tools for bogus refunds \u2014you\u2019re stealing from every honest taxpayer,\u201d said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of the\u00a0 IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. \u201cMetayer chose to cheat the system and even lied in a bid for citizenship. A jury saw through it, and the court delivered accountability. IRS Special Agents will continue protecting the integrity of the tax system and work with our partners to hold accountable those who engage in fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

According to court records, Metayer worked as a professional tax preparer from approximately 2019 through 2025. To attract customers and justify inflated preparation fees, Metayer prepared and filed dozens of federal income tax returns containing false business losses, deductions, and credits\u2014without his customers\u2019 knowledge\u2014in order to increase their refunds. As a result of this scheme, the U.S. Treasury suffered losses exceeding $175,000.<\/p>\n

Metayer is a Haitian national and lawful permanent resident of the U.S. In March 2024, while his tax fraud scheme was ongoing, Metayer applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. As part of the application process, Metayer was required to disclose whether he had ever been convicted of, charged with, or arrested for a crime or offense and whether he had ever committed a crime or offense for which he was not arrested. Metayer concealed his ongoing criminal conduct and falsely denied committing any such offenses.<\/p>\n

Metayer will be subject to removal from the U.S. after completing his prison sentence.<\/p>\n

U.S. Attorney Reding Qui\u00f1ones; Special Agent in Charge Loecker; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jos\u00e9 R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.<\/p>\n

IRS\u2011CI Florida Field Office and HSI Miami investigated the case.<\/p>\n

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne prosecuted the case.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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