Mark Edwards, a 61-year-old resident of Danbury, pleaded guilty on Mar. 9 before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to aiding in the preparation of a false tax return, according to an announcement by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address tax fraud and ensure compliance with tax laws.
Court documents show that Edwards has owned and operated Mark Edwards Roofing and Siding, LLC since about 1998. Beginning at least as early as 2018, he failed to keep accurate business records or perform bookkeeping. During the preparation of his income tax returns for the years 2019 through 2023, Edwards provided his preparer with handwritten figures that significantly underreported his income. The filings understated gross receipts by at least $1.3 million during this period, leading to a reported tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service totaling $368,334.
Edwards faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for aiding in the preparation of a false tax return. He is currently released on a $50,000 bond while awaiting sentencing; no date has been scheduled yet.
The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.