NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today, TRISH CHRISTOPHER, age 36, of Metairie was sentenced to three years of probation before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan, for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal tax returns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2), a crime punishable by up to
(3) three years of imprisonment.
CHRISTOPHER admitted that as owner and operator of C.C. Tax Service, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, she prepared and caused to be prepared at least 36 individual income tax returns that included false or fictitious Schedule A itemized deductions in order to falsely inflate her clients’ tax refunds.
“When Trish Christopher utilized her tax return preparation business, C.C. Tax Service, for ill-gotten gains, she underestimated the special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation," said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “By identifying, investigating and recommending prosecution of abusive return preparers, IRS-CI works diligently to protect the American tax system."
Pursuant to the plea agreement, CHRISTOPHER has agreed to pay restitution of $195,205.00 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In addition to probation and restitution, CHRISTOPHER has been ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, for its work in investigating this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
