Dunkirk man accused of filing false income taxes

Oct 1, 2013 7:54 AM

Dave Rowley, News Director

A 42-year-old Dunkirk man has been arrested for filing fraudulent income tax returns in the names of deceased individuals. The State Department of Taxation and Finance has announced that John Berry of North Ermine Street has been under investigation for tax fraud and has been charged with Offering a False Instrument in the first degree, a class E felony and Attempted Grand Larceny in the 4th degree, a class A misdemeanor. He was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court and released on his own recognizance. Berry is accused of filing 40 state income tax returns between 2008 and 2009 claiming fradulent refunds of nearly $25,000. The State Tax Department, working with IRS, also determined that Berry allegedly sought $200,000 in illegal refunds by filing 122 federal returns using the social security numbers of dead people.