JUST IN: Man behind dozens of Donald Trump ballot eligibility challenges arrested
By newseditors // 2024-01-12
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John Anthony Castro, a Texas man who filed over two dozen challenges to President Trump’s ballot eligibility, was arrested Tuesday on charges alleging he filed 17 sets of false tax documents to the IRS. (Article by Danielle republished from 100PercentFedUp.com) “Castro was indicted last week on 33 counts of aiding the preparation of false tax returns,” The Hill reports. Prosecutors claim he defrauded the government by running a virtual tax preparation business that provided customers tax returns greater than what they were owed. Castro filed challenges in 27 states against Trump’s ballot eligibility. The Hill reports:
“Castro would promise a significantly higher refund than taxpayers could receive from other preparers and on many occasions, offered to split the additional refund with taxpayers,” prosecutors said in court documents. “In order to achieve these larger refunds, Castro generated false deductions, that were not based in fact, and which were submitted without the taxpayer’s knowledge.” Castro was busted by an undercover police officer, prosecutors outlined, who posed as a customer for his tax services. While a reputable tax preparer promised the undercover agent a $373 tax return, Castro instead claimed he could get $6,007, and offered to split the difference in extra cash. The tax forms Castro then filed on behalf of the undercover officer contained nearly $30,000 in fraudulently claimed deductions, prosecutors said. Castro is also a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, a long-shot bid that has gained little attention outside his legal challenges to Trump’s ballot eligibility. Castro has filed challenges to Trump’s ballot placement in 27 states, claiming that Trump’s involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots violates the 14th Amendment.
Castro’s challenges have been dismissed repeatedly due to lack of standing. 100 Percent Fed Up noted from a prior challenge:
A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit to remove Donald Trump from the ballot in West Virginia. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger, an Obama-appointee, ruled that Texas resident John Anthony Castro could not demonstrate standing. “Castro had described himself as a candidate for president and said Trump’s presence on the ballot would harm his chances,” WV MetroNews wrote. The dismissal follows the Colorado Supreme Court’s unprecedented ruling to boot Trump off the state’s ballot. “Judge Berger Said The Lawsuit Was Frivolous & Without Merit As It Was Filed By Texas Resident & Write-in Candidate John Anthony Castro. Castro Claimed Trump Incited An Insurrection Without A Charge Or Conviction Should Be Disqualified Based On 14th Amendment. In A Memorandum Opinion, Judge Berger Ordered The Case To Be Dismissed Without Prejudice!” John Basham said.
More details from WFAA:
Castro owned and operated Castro & Company LLC, a virtual tax preparation business with locations in Orlando, Mansfield, and Washington D.C., according to the indictment. Castro allegedly generated false deductions without taxpayers’ knowledge in order to achieve higher refunds and, on many occasions, offered to split the additional refund with taxpayers, according to officials. An undercover agent posing as a taxpayer seeking tax preparation services contacted Castro & Company for assistance in 2018, and Castro allegedly refused to meet in person without receiving a $5,000 retainer but offered to help virtually, officials said. According to the indictment, an employee of Castro’s interviewed the agent over the telephone regarding deductions said Castro would make any decisions on what would be included in the tax filing, and didn’t identify any deductions that would apply to the agent. Castro allegedly filed the agent’s tax return in March of 2018, claiming $29,339 in fraudulent deductions; the IRS issued a $6,007 refund, Castro received $2,999 for his services, and the agent received the remaining $3,008, officials said. Castro allegedly continued in a similar pattern with other taxpayers, according to officials. If convicted on all counts, Castro faces up to 99 years in prison – three years per count.
Read more at: 100PercentFedUp.com
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