Local Woman Sentenced For False Claims In Connection With Fraudulent Tax Returns

HOUSTON – Alisa Grisson has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction of one count of making a false claim against the government, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cruz, of Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Grissom pleaded guilty Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013.    

Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Grissom a 30-month sentence. Grissom will also be required to serve a term of three years of supervised release following completion of the prison term.

Grisson stipulated that the tax losses to the government is $674,284.62 and has agreed to pay that in restitution to the United States.

According to the plea agreement filed in the record of the case, Grisson acknowledged she prepared tax returns in her name and in the names of others. She acknowledged she knew the returns were false and fraudulent when she prepared them and caused them to be filed with the IRS.

Grisson admitted in the plea agreement that these returns reported income that had not been earned and/or expenses that had not been incurred, thus claiming monies from the government in the form of tax refunds to which she and the other taxpayers were not entitled. Specifically, she admitted to falsely claiming a refund of more than $7.4 million for the 2009 tax year.

Grisson further agreed never again to aid or assist in preparing or presenting tax returns for any taxpayer except herself and not to oppose any civil action brought by the United States seeking to enjoin her from preparing income tax returns for others.    

Grissom was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

IRS-CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Corso is prosecuting.