Investigators searched two LBS Tax Services offices in Hernando County on Monday, part of a fraud investigation. The searches took place at the LBS offices in Brooksville and Spring Hill. Involved in the operation were the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the Brooksville Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the Secret Service.
Deputies had seen the red-and-white signs advertising tax services along area roadways and heard some complaints, but it was a visit to the sheriff's office by a boyfriend and girlfriend a few weeks ago that spurred this investigation, said detective Bill Horvath of the sheriff's office. The couple had gone to the LBS office in Brooksville and were concerned their refund was too high after talking to family members and an accountant.
"They thought they were going to be in trouble for … the way their taxes were filed," Horvath said. The couple hadn't initially been given copies of their tax return, but requested them from the office and shared them with the detective. "The first thing I noticed was each of them had a business," he said. "I asked them if they actually had a business and they both said no."
Horvath said the companies were "fictitiously created." The strategy, he said, appears to be an effort to get taxpayers to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit – boosting both refunds and profits. "LBS inflates their income to a level where they can get this credit and by doing so they have to fill out different IRS forms like the schedule ‘C' and they earned income tax forms," he said. "That's where LBS charges between $75 and $100 per form."
The door was locked at the Brooksville LBS office on Tuesday, and the person who answered the phone declined to comment. Employees at the Spring Hill office directed questions to the owner, who said by phone that his lawyers were looking into the matter but that he didn't yet know what was going on. Asked about the allegations that forms were filed for companies clients did not own, he said "we don't do such things."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:23:35 GMT
Approximately 40 animals were found in what appeared to be an abandoned home on Hiawatha Place in Holiday on Wednesday night according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Approximately 40 animals were found in what appeared to be an abandoned home on Hiawatha Place in Holiday on Wednesday night according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:03:34 GMT
St. Petersburg Police Officers have arrested three people for a home invasion and beating that left a 63-year-old woman in critical condition on Wednesday morning.
St. Petersburg Police Officers have arrested three people for a home invasion and beating that left a 63-year-old woman in critical condition on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:07:09 GMT
Going in for surgery
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:30:04 GMT
Laura Spaulding is used to crime scenes. Her company, Spaulding Decon, is often called in to clean up sites involving homicides, hoarding and other incidents. But this spring, she discovered signs
Laura Spaulding is used to crime scenes. Her company, Spaulding Decon, is often called in to clean up sites involving homicides, hoarding and other incidents.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:00:26 GMT
Fashion Expert Mickey Williams is back with this summer's hottest swimwear to suit every body type from www.BareNecessities.com. www.BareNeccesities.com carries the best brands for bra-sized swim up to
Fashion Expert Mickey Williams is back with this summer's hottest swimwear to suit every body type from www.BareNecessities.com. www.BareNeccesities.com carries the best brands for bra-sized swim up to
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:08 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:08:53 GMT
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:07:09 GMT
Going in for surgery
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:30:57 GMT
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 2:12 PM EDT2013-05-07 18:12:20 GMT
AP Photo
The U.S. Northeast is about to be snowed under by cicadas. Don't worry, though, it's normal. The pesky invasion is just so unusual that people tend to forget about it.
The U.S. Northeast is about to be snowed under by cicadas. Don't worry, though, it's normal. The pesky invasion is just so unusual that people tend to forget about it.
