PHILADELPHIA, PA — James J. Sirleaf, 65, of Darby, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 14, to running a multi-year scheme that defrauded the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of over $219,000. Sirleaf admitted to aiding clients in filing false income tax returns and submitting fraudulent personal returns.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond, Sirleaf pleaded guilty to 15 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false returns, as well as three counts of filing false personal returns, all of which were outlined in a 2023 indictment.
According to court filings, Sirleaf operated Metro Financial Services Inc., a Philadelphia-based tax preparation business. Between 2016 and 2019, he falsified client returns by including fabricated deductions, business expenses, and incorrect dependent information. He also underreported his own income on personal returns filed from 2017 to 2019.
“This defendant manipulated the tax system for personal gain, creating a significant financial loss to the government,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.
The scheme resulted in a tax loss of $219,622. Sirleaf’s sentencing is scheduled for September 3, 2025, where he faces a maximum penalty of 54 years in prison.
The IRS Criminal Investigation division conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger prosecuting the case.
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