A Peoria man, Leslie Victor Gentry, has pleaded guilty to knowingly preparing and submitting 14 false Form 941 tax returns for tax years 2020 and 2021.
According to the Department of Justice, the 54-year-old Gentry filed the tax returns on behalf of two businesses that he and his wife owned, but that were not in operation during that time. The tax returns claimed false COVID-related tax credits based on fictitious wages paid to fictitious employees. Gentry admitted that, in reality, the companies did not have any employees and did not pay any of the reported wages. Through the false filings, Gentry fraudulently sought and received more than $1.8 million in COVID-related tax credits.
A conviction for Filing False Claims for Refund carries a maximum term of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution to the IRS.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich.
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