A Watsonville tax preparer suspected of bilking clients out of more than a half million dollars was arrested last week at his Santa Cruz home following a months-long probe into his business practices, Watsonville police reported.
Watsonville police arrested Jason Matthew Haas at his Santa Cruz residence on suspicion of theft and embezzlement on Nov. 21, they announced Wednesday.
Police found that Haas took approximately $567,654.21 which was to have been paid to the State of California and the IRS, said Watsonville Police Lt. David McCartney.
Haas was providing payroll services for Royal Coach Tours, a San Jose based transportation company under the name Payroll Management Group.
Earlier story about the investigation.
The investigation revealed that Haas had access to the company’s bank account and used his payroll software to convert Royal Coach payroll tax funds into checks made out to the Group.
Watsonville Police investigators are familiar with Haas from a 2011 investigation reported by a restaurant in San Jose. Haas has been arrested for that investigation and charges have been filed with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.
Police are also aware of several ongoing investigations against Haas in Santa Clara County, San Benito County, and Troy, Michigan, they said.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is encouraged to call Watsonville Police Detective Bailey at 768-3358 or the Watsonville Police Anonymous Tip line at 768-3544.
