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 unemployment income, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.
This resulted in her clients’ returns requesting higher tax credits and higher refunds than what they were entitled to receive, Sellinger said.
Griffin prepared 19 false tax returns on behalf of six clients for tax years 2013 through 2016 and filed three false tax returns for herself for tax years 2013 through 2015. She admitting causing a tax loss of approximately $135,000.
The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Griffin, who also lived in Egg Harbor Township and Pleasantville, was arrested in June 2020.
She is scheduled to be sentenced May 10.
