Cedrick Campbell, 49, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of helping prepare false tax returns in Quincy, federal prosecutors said last Friday.
An investigation done by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigations, found that Campbell ran an "unofficial" tax preparation business from his home, between 2018 to 2022.
Investigators say the former Gadsden County math teacher misrepresented his clients’ deductions, credits, and their refund due; in order to get more money back from the IRS.
Gadsden County Tax Preparer Sentenced To Federal Prison For Preparing False Tax Returns https://t.co/u0wWBsuYlh @IRS_CI
— U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody NDFL (@NDFLnews) September 20, 2024
“A tax preparer who fraudulently inflates your refund isn’t doing you any favors,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office.
“An honest preparer will be transparent and willing to explain everything that you’re entitled to. Unscrupulous preparers, like Mr. Campbell, should know that they will be investigated and face serious consequences.”
Campbell’s case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan.
He ordered Campbell to pay $378,041 in restitution, on top of a 24-month federal prison sentence.
Read the DOJ press release here.