Galloway tax preparer gets one year and a day in fraud case

A Galloway Township woman who admitted to using false information to increase her clients’ tax refunds and filing her own false tax returns was sentenced to 366 days in federal prison.

Michele Griffin, 42, previously pleaded guilty to indictment charging her with aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return. She admitted causing a total tax loss of $135,000.

Griffin prepared multiple fraudulent tax returns on behalf of her clients by falsifying their education expenses, dependent-care expenses, business income, dependent information and unemployment income, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said.

She prepared 19 false tax returns on behalf of six clients for tax years 2013 through 2016. She also filed three false tax returns for herself for tax years 2013 through 2015.

In addition to the prison term, Griffin will have one year of supervision upon her release, and must pay restitution of $135,063.

NOTE: Federal mugshots are not made public and pictures cannot be taken in federal court.

Galloway tax preparer admits to falsifying returns

A Galloway Township tax preparer lied on clients’ tax returns and her own, she admitted Thursday. Michele Griffin, 42, pleaded guilty in federal court to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Griffin falsified education expenses, dependent care expenses, business income, dependent information and ... Read more

Galloway tax preparer allegedly filed false returns for self, clients

A Galloway Township tax preparer allegedly filed false tax returns for herself and clients.Michele Griffin, 40, who also lived in Egg Harbor Township and Pleasantville, was arrested Friday on a 19-count federal indictment, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.She was set to be arraigned via video conference in federal court Friday.Griffin allegedly prepared multiple fraudulent tax ... Read more