The federal government has filed lawsuits against seven people nationwide, including a Utah man, claiming they filed illegal tax-refund claims that improperly netted millions in refund checks.

Dick R. Jenkins, of Heber City, is one of the individuals being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice. A complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Utah alleges that Jenkins prepared his own tax returns and those of other people that employed a tax fraud scheme.

"Jenkins fabricates federal income tax withholdings on tax returns he prepares," court documents state. "The fabricated tax withholding reported to the IRS on his customers' returns results in fraudulent refund claims by his customers in amounts as large as $210 million per customer."

The complaint claims that Jenkins uses fake forms and helps customers falsely claim tax refunds that they are not entitled to receive.

Among other things, the federal government is asking the court to stop Jenkins from preparing tax forms, permanently prohibit him from using deceptive means to arrange improper tax shelters, and provide federal officials with a list of everyone for whom he has done tax work during the past three years.

The Department of Justice maintains the seven people who have been sued and their various customers have skimmed hundreds of millions from the U.S. Treasury.

The other people who have been sued are in California, Florida, Tennessee and Idaho.

"The scope of the misconduct alleged in these lawsuits is staggering," according to John DiCicco, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Tax Division.

"The IRS and Justice Department are working together closely to ensure that those who promote or participate in this large-scale raid on the treasury face all appropriate civil and criminal sanctions. Anyone who participates in this scheme can expect to not get the claimed refund, face very large civil penalties (up to 20 percent of the false claim), and where appropriate, face criminal prosecution with possible substantial prison sentences if convicted."

A message left at Jenkins' office produced no reply at press time.

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com