Tax Preparer Sentenced To Federal Prison For Her Role In Fraudulent Tax Return Scheme

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney Walt Green announced that Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced MALETICA V. FERGUSON, age 37, of Geismar, Louisiana, to serve ten (10) months in federal prison, and an additional eight (8) months in community confinement, for her role in a fraudulent tax return scheme. Following her release from custody, FERGUSON will be placed on supervised release for one (1) year. She has also been ordered to pay $263,769 in restitution to the IRS.

FERGUSON’s sentence follows her conviction for scheming to defraud the IRS during the 2010 and 2011 tax years by submitting dozens of false tax returns, seeking refunds totaling more than $300,000. In the returns, by misrepresenting the taxpayers’ incomes and falsely claiming various credits, among other means, FERGUSON fraudulently claimed that the taxpayers were entitled to significant tax refunds. As a result of her scheme, FERGUSON caused a loss of $263,769 to the taxpayers of the United States.

U.S. Attorney Green stated: “This sentence should send another clear message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the IRS are serious about combating tax fraud. We will continue to aggressively pursue those criminals who seek to defraud the American taxpayer.”

IRS Criminal Investigations Special Agent-in-Charge Gabriel Grchan stated: “We are pleased with today’s announcement regarding the sentence of Ms. Ferguson, who prepared income tax returns that sought over $260,000.00 in fraudulent refunds. The tax system is built on the premise that taxpayers file accurate and timely tax returns. Willfully aiding or assisting in the preparing of false tax returns is a serious crime, punishable under federal law. To ensure confidence in our tax system, Special Agents of IRS Criminal Investigation are committed to the aggressive pursuit and prosecution of individuals who intentionally abuse the nation’s tax system.”

This case was the result of an initiative by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division, and the United States Department of Justice’s Tax Division, to combat tax fraud schemes. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cam T. Le.