Columbus man found guilty of stealing $1 million by filing fake tax returns

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus man pleaded guilty to filing fake and false tax returns, stealing more than $1 million for his clients. 

Ali Kasimu Alston, 48, entered his guilty plea during a court appearance Wednesday. 

According to court records, between 2015 and 2022, Alston, as owner of Overtime Ventures LLC, which did business as Raining Cash Tax Service, falsified clients’ federal tax returns to maximize their refunds. 

According to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, in one 2021 case, Alston filed a return showing losses for a home healthcare business that didn’t exist, resulting in a reduction of the client’s tax liability and increasing the client’s refund. 

In total, the U.S. attorney claims Alston cost the IRS more than $1.2 million. 

According to the U.S. attorney's office, Alston also tried to pay off one of his employees with $4,000 in cash to lie to law enforcement officers who were investigating his tax business. 

Alston was charged in September. As part of his guilty plea, he must pay back more than $1.2 million to the IRS. 

Alston’s sentencing date was not released. Aiding in the perparation of a false and fraudulent tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison, the U.S. attorney’s office said.