San Diego Tax Preparer Permanently Banned From Business After Criminal Conviction

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California has entered a permanent civil injunction prohibiting Oladapo Olagbemi from preparing federal tax returns for any other person or entity. Olagbemi managed D.A.O. Accounting, Consulting, and Taxation, Inc., a tax return preparation business located in San Diego.

Under the court order, Olagbemi is permanently barred from preparing federal returns for others, owning any tax return preparation business, or training anyone in preparing returns. Olagbemi consented to the entry of the civil injunction.

Criminal Conviction and Financial Restitution

The civil injunction follows criminal proceedings against Olagbemi. On June 4, 2026, he pleaded guilty to four counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Following his guilty plea, he was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay approximately $1,922,887.31 in restitution to the United States.

In legal terms, restitution is a court-ordered payment requiring a convicted offender to pay money back to a victim or government entity for financial losses caused by a crime. An injunction, by contrast, is a court order that commands a person or business to refrain from performing specific actions.

Falsification of Client Tax Schedules and Forms

According to the complaint, Olagbemi operated his business in San Diego and committed tax return falsification between 2019 and 2024. Prosecutors alleged that he falsified material information on returns he prepared to reduce or eliminate taxes owed by clients and secure unearned refunds.

To accomplish this, Olagbemi attached false schedules and forms to client tax returns. The complaint specifically stated that he included improper Schedules 1, A, C, and E, as well as Forms 2106 and Forms 5695. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Joshua Wu of the Justice Department’s Civil Division Tax Litigation Branch announced the injunction. Attorneys Kelark Azer Habashi and Jeffery N. Nunez handled the legal matter.

What This Case Means for Taxpayers

Taxpayers who use professional preparers remain personally responsible for all figures submitted on their federal returns. If a preparer files false tax forms, individual taxpayers could face government reviews, interest penalties, or unpaid tax assessments.

To protect against fraudulent operators, taxpayers can take practical steps recommended by federal authorities:

• Check the IRS website for official guidance on selecting a qualified return preparer.
• Use the free IRS online directory of federal tax return preparers.
• Review the 10 tips provided by the IRS to avoid tax season fraud and protect personal financial information.
• Consult the Justice Department’s public online list of individuals and businesses barred by court injunctions from preparing returns.

Anyone who believes a barred individual or business is violating a permanent injunction can contact the Justice Department’s Tax Litigation Branch with details.

When to Speak with a Legal Professional

If you discover that a return preparer submitted inaccurate or improper schedules on your behalf, or if you receive official notice from federal tax authorities regarding past filings, speaking with a lawyer can clarify your legal obligations. An attorney can review your tax records, guide you through official communications, and help protect your rights.

This article is general information based on U.S. Department of Justice and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published November 13, 2026.