Florida Attorney General Moody charges tax preparer with exploiting elderly Floridians for financial fraud
Florida – In a case highlighting seniors’ vulnerability to financial fraud, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has brought several charges against a tax preparer accused of using his position to conduct a variety of crimes. Operating a tax preparation firm, Ricardo Karns, the defendant, allegedly targeted elderly Floridians in a complex system to steal their personal data and funnel stolen funds through his company.
Following an investigation exposing a troubling pattern of fraud, law enforcement agents arrested Karns, the owner of Karns Taxes & Investments. Authorities claim Karns opened fraudulent credit card accounts using personal identity data from at least 21 people—19 of whom were seniors. After the cards were turned on, Karns allegedly made purchases at his own company with the cards, therefore giving the impression that these people had bought tax preparation services.
The investigation revealed that Karns’ actions went beyond simple data theft. He is suspected of using his company accounts to launder the illegal profits and either withdrawing the money as cash or distributing the stolen money to different accounts. Indicating a possible network of collaborators engaged in the operation, investigators also found transactions linked to fraudulently stolen credit cards at companies owned by Karns’ accomplices.
Attorney General Ashley Moody condemned the actions of Karns, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved in targeting seniors.
“This tax preparer stole personal information to defraud Florida seniors. He tried to launder his ill-gotten gains, funneling the stolen funds through his tax business — where he spent countless hours executing his illegal scheme. Now, my Statewide Prosecutors will make sure he pays for his crimes with an extended stay at a taxpayer-funded facility,” Moody said.
The long list of charges against Karns reflects the seriousness of his alleged offense. He faces one count of organized scheme to defraud, two counts of money laundering, 16 counts of criminal use of personal identification information, 19 counts of grand theft involving victims aged 65 or older, and three additional counts of grand theft.
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Aiming to get justice for the victims, OSP Statewide Prosecutors Sophia Birriel-Sanchez and Jonathan Bridges will supervise the case. Should Karns be found guilty, he might spend many years in prison, therefore assigning some responsibility for the suffering done to his victims.
This case is just another reminder of the threats financial predators create, especially for elderly who are sometimes considered as easy victims. Law enforcement officials and consumer protection groups advise everyone—especially elderly individuals—to be alert in securing personal information and tracking financial accounts for illegal activity.
The office of Attorney General Moody’s continues to prioritize the protection of Florida’s senior population from fraud and abuse. Through cases like this, the state hopes to make it obvious that those who exploit the trust of vulnerable individuals will face severe consequences.
The case against Ricardo Karns emphasizes the crucial need of combating financial crimes and safeguarding the most defenseless groups from exploitation as the legal process unfolds.
