A Texas man who has filed numerous challenges to former President Donald Trump‘s ballot eligibility has been arrested on federal tax charges.
John Anthony Castro was reportedly indicted last week on 33 counts of aiding the preparation of false tax returns.
“Castro would promise a significantly higher refund than taxpayers could receive from other preparers and on many occasions, offered to split the additional refund with taxpayers,” prosecutors said in court documents. “In order to achieve these larger refunds, Castro generated false deductions, that were not based in fact, and which were submitted without the taxpayer's knowledge.”
An undercover police officer posing as a customer for Castro's tax services was able to expose him, according to prosecutors. One legitimate tax preparer promised the undercover agent a $373 tax return, however, Castro claimed he could get $6,007, and offered to split the difference in extra cash.
The tax forms Castro then filed on behalf of the undercover officer contained nearly $30,000 in fraudulently claimed deductions, prosecutors said.
Castro told The Hill that he denies wrongdoing and believes the case is politically motivated, “no question about it.”
“I don't care if they offered me one day probation and a slap on the wrist in exchange for a guilty plea,” he said. “This is going to trial. I am going to convince all 12 jurors that I am 100 percent innocent and that this is political retaliation.”
Castro is also a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, the long-shot bid that has gained little attention outside his legal challenges to Trump's ballot eligibility.
Earlier this week, a Nevada federal judge rejected Castro's 14th Amendment challenge. (RELATED: Nevada Judge Dismisses Challenge To Trump's Eligibility For Office)
U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro, who was appointed by former President Obama, issued the order dismissing John Anthony Castro‘s case, noting he “lack standing.”
The Texas man has filed challenges to Trump's ballot placement in 27 states, claiming that Trump's involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots violates the 14th Amendment.
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