DES MOINES — Prosecutors say an Ames tax preparer has been convicted of wire fraud and identity theft in the preparation of false tax returns. A jury found 48-year-old Lony Tap Gatwas guilty Wednesday after a three-day trial in Des Moines. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1. Authorities say Gatwas falsely listed his and other children as dependents on his clients’ personal income tax returns, inflating the clients’ refunds.
Authorities also say Gatwas told at least two of his clients to lie to federal agents about the fictitious dependents when the clients’ returns were audited.