Tax Preparer Sentenced for Fraud, Citizenship Deception

Wislet Metayer defrauded taxpayers of over $175,000 and lied on naturalization application

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A tax preparer in Port Saint Lucie, Florida named Wislet Metayer was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for defrauding taxpayers of more than $175,000 and attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship by concealing his crimes from immigration officials. Metayer, a Haitian national and lawful permanent resident, was convicted of 32 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and one count of making a false statement related to naturalization.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious consequences for tax preparers who abuse their position of trust to defraud taxpayers and government programs. It also demonstrates how immigration fraud can be tied to financial crimes, as Metayer tried to conceal his ongoing tax fraud scheme when applying for U.S. citizenship.

The details

Metayer worked as a professional tax preparer from 2019 through 2025. To attract customers and justify inflated preparation fees, he prepared and filed dozens of federal income tax returns containing false business losses, deductions and credits — without his customers' knowledge — in order to increase their refunds. In March 2024, while his tax fraud scheme was ongoing, Metayer applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen and concealed his criminal conduct, falsely denying that he had committed any offenses.

  • Metayer worked as a tax preparer from approximately 2019 through 2025.
  • In March 2024, while his tax fraud scheme was ongoing, Metayer applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

The players

Wislet Metayer

A 45-year-old tax preparer in Port Saint Lucie, Florida who was convicted of defrauding taxpayers of more than $175,000 and attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship by concealing his crimes.

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The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of thorough background checks and fraud detection in the tax preparation and immigration processes. It also highlights the need for strong penalties to deter tax preparers from exploiting their positions of trust to defraud the government and taxpayers.