A Texas man, John Anthony Castro, who actively campaigned to exclude former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot, has found himself entangled in legal trouble. A self-proclaimed Republican presidential candidate, Castro’s efforts included urging the Supreme Court to disqualify Trump based on the 14th Amendment, specifically citing the constitutional clause prohibiting individuals “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. Following the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case, Castro extended his campaign nationwide, submitting numerous challenges against Trump’s eligibility in various states.
While Castro’s legal maneuvers against Trump gained attention, his own legal woes unfolded. Castro now faces federal charges related to tax fraud, with allegations involving an online tax company he operated. The charges include submitting 17 sets of fraudulent tax filings and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns between 2018 and 2020. Court documents assert that Castro misled the IRS to enhance clients’ returns, promising significantly higher refunds through false deductions. The charges also suggest Castro used his firm to cheat the government.
Despite the tax fraud charges, Castro claims innocence and contends that the legal action against him is politically motivated. He emphasizes his dedication to removing Trump from the ballot and suggests a connection between his campaign and the charges brought against him. Castro argues that he paid the IRS $700,000 to settle the dispute and expresses confidence in his innocence, vowing to take the case to trial. This narrative adds a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, as Castro positions himself as a victim of political retaliation due to his activism against Trump’s candidacy.
