PHILADELPHIA - A federal jury, today, found Sherelle Pratt, 41, of Philadelphia, PA, guilty of filing false tax returns, aiding and assisting other individuals in preparing and filing false tax returns, theft of government property. Pratt was an IRS employee at the time of her crimes. She prepared federal income tax returns for a number of individuals during tax years through 2006 through 2008. She caused the refunds, and stimulus payments that the filers were supposed to receive, to be deposited into her personal bank account. In some cases, Pratt gave the filers a portion of the refunds and stimulus payments. In other instances, she kept the refund and stimulus payments.
Pratt faces a maximum possible sentence of 28 years in prison, a fine of up to $1.75 million dollars, a special assessment of $700, and two years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia Rufe will schedule a sentencing hearing at a later date.
The case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Philadelphia Field Office and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Floyd J. Miller.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
