A Kenyan man, Hophine Bwosinde residing in Lenexa, Kansas, could face up to three years in prison for his role in a tax fraud scheme that caused the IRS, the U.S. government’s tax collector, to lose around Sh. 193 million ($1.5 million).
The immigrant from Nyamira pleaded guilty to charges of preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns through his company, Amboseli Professional Services. This was confirmed by Kate E. Brubacher, the District Attorney for Kansas, to U.S. media outlets.
Court documents and statements from the proceedings reveal that Bwosinde altered his clients’ tax returns by inflating real business expenses or claiming losses from non-existent businesses. He also falsely reported negative income on his clients’ returns, which resulted in underreporting income to the IRS.
As a result, his clients paid lower taxes, had reduced financial responsibilities to the IRS, and often received refunds they weren’t entitled to. This led to the IRS’s reported loss of approximately Sh. 193 million.
Before facing legal troubles, Bwosinde was well-respected in the Kenyan community in Kansas and even served as the former president of the Organization of Kenyans in Kansas City.
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Bwosinde was recognized for his efforts to help newly arrived Kenyan immigrants adapt to life in the Midwest, particularly in Kansas and Missouri. He also had political ambitions, having unsuccessfully bid as a Democratic candidate for the Lenexa City Council.
Bwosinde’s future looks uncertain, as the IRS is known for strictly enforcing tax laws. He faces serious consequences for his actions, with a sentencing hearing set for February 18, 2025. He could be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison.
After prison, he will be under supervised release where he will be required to pay full restitution for the government’s losses. He may also incur additional monetary penalties.
