Judge Orders Fines for Violation of Perfect Balance Regulations

Florida businesswoman Alexandra Smyth was sentenced to six months of home confinement after admitting to taking advantage of her Virgin Islands clients following hurricanes Irma and Maria. Smyth, 36, entered a last-minute plea agreement in September 2023, as she faced charges of wire fraud for diverting payments owed to the IRS by taxpayers who used her business to prepare their taxes. Prosecutors revealed that five fraud victims collectively lost $41,144.72 as a result of Smyth’s actions.

During the sentencing hearing, Smyth’s defense attorney presented envelopes containing money orders for four clients of Smyth’s accounting business, Perfect Balance Accounting Services, LLC, and one intended beneficiary of a hurricane recovery charity called Perfect Heart that Smyth had set up. Chief District Judge Robert Molloy commended Smyth for making restitution before the court, calling it an act of accepting responsibility. However, the government, represented by Assistant Attorney General Everard Potter, argued that the payments made by Smyth did not fully cover the amount owed and requested a jail sentence of three months.

Smyth apologized to her victims, acknowledging that she made poor choices as an adult but expressing her desire for a sentence other than prison. While Smyth cited survival and maintaining her business as reasons for her actions, Judge Molloy criticized her rationale and ordered six months of home confinement, as well as an additional 36 months of supervised release. Smyth was also instructed to pay for electronic monitors to ensure compliance with the home confinement and to pay the remaining restitution in monthly installments at ten percent of her monthly gross earnings.

The judge noted that Smyth had used her skills and training to violate multiple individuals and commended her for paying restitution, which is uncommon in financial crimes. However, Molloy emphasized the seriousness of Smyth’s offenses and the need to take a hard look at them. Despite Smyth’s attempts to explain her reasons for cheating her clients, the judge found her explanations lacking and concluded that home confinement followed by supervised release, along with financial restitution, was an appropriate sentence for her crimes.

In conclusion, Alexandra Smyth, a Florida businesswoman, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and 36 months of supervised release for defrauding her clients after hurricanes Irma and Maria. Smyth’s actions resulted in the loss of over $41,000 for five fraud victims. Despite Smyth’s attempts to make restitution and apologize, the judge found her motives lacking and ordered her to pay the remaining restitution in monthly installments. The sentence also included the requirement for Smyth to pay for electronic monitors and comply with home confinement regulations to ensure she fulfills her punishment.