Eastside Man Claimed Bogus $827,117 Tax Return, Feds Say

A Redmond man has been indicted by a federal grand jury after authorities say he presented bogus tax documents to a private tax preparer and collected a fraudulent return of $827,117.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle, Fred F. Frink, 68, was charged with bank fraud, money laundering, presenting a fictitious obligation, and making false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims. He is scheduled to make his first appearance on the indictment later this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

Federal officials say a private tax preparer hired by Frink determined his 2008 return was worth $7,413. Rather than filing that return, Frink allegedly went to a local H&R Block location and presented fake forms indicating more than $1 million in taxes had been witheld on his behalf.

H&R calculated his return to be worth $827,117, and Frink used the money for various transactions before the IRS caught the fraud, which resulted in money laundering charges.

If convicted, Frink faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.