A federal grand jury returned a nine-count superseding indictment on Mar. 24 charging Dormeshia A. Haire, a tax return preparer who worked in St. Clair County, with multiple counts related to allegedly filing false tax returns and defrauding the government.
The case is significant because it highlights concerns about fraud within the tax preparation industry and its impact on both taxpayers and government resources.
Haire, 38, of St. Charles, Missouri, faces three counts each of fraud and false statements on tax returns, wire fraud, and aiding and abetting in submitting false and fraudulent returns. According to prosecutors, she was originally charged in April 2024 for underreporting her personal employment income on her own tax returns for the years 2019 through 2021.
The superseding indictment further alleges that Haire committed wire fraud by reporting fraudulent business expenses for her clients when preparing their taxes.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said, “The American tax system depends on everyone doing their part to follow the law. Cheating the tax system is no victimless crime because honest taxpayers are left to pay the price alone. Our office will make sure everyone lives up to their obligations, so the system works as intended.”
IRS-Criminal Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Melissa McFadden said most return preparers provide good service but warned about dishonest ones: “But there are dishonest tax preparers who file fraud-filled and false returns to steal from the government and defraud their own clients. Avoid shady tax preparers at all costs because when they get caught, you could be on the hook for the damage they cause.”
Authorities remind that an indictment is only a formal charge; under law Haire is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before a jury.
If convicted of all charges, Haire could face up to twenty years in prison.
