2 indicted over false tax returns

A federal grand jury indicted two former Hawaii tax preparers this week on charges of claiming $1.6 million in fraudulent federal tax refunds for clients in 2013 and 2014.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Hawaii announced the indictments of Christine Helliangao and Natasha Bardon, who allegedly operated Pau Taxes initially in Wahiawa and itemized deductions for business expenses and charitable contributions that weren’t incurred or made by their clients.

Helliangao and Bardon also are alleged to have charged clients tax preparation fees based on refund amounts.

Both women were arrested Thursday and released on bail. They face possible prison terms of more than 15 years if convicted.

Bardon, 31, of Kapolei, is charged with 25 counts of aiding and abetting false tax reporting. Helliangao, who is 35 and moved to Henderson, Nev., is charged with four such counts.

Each false-reporting count is punishable by three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Bardon and Helliangao also face a conspiracy charge with a maximum five-year prison term and an order to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Bardon and Helliangao could not be reached for comment Friday. A phone number for Pau Taxes was not in service.

U.S. Attorney Larry Tong declined to say whether individual taxpayers linked to the case are culpable and potentially face charges. Tong also declined to say how many clients of Pau Taxes had allegedly fraudulent tax returns filed.

A trial is set for June 14 before U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor.