Bastrop Tax Preparer Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Filing False Tax Returns

MONROE, La. – A Bastrop tax preparer was sentenced to 30 months in prison and one year of supervised release for filing income tax returns containing false information, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.

Camille Cooper, 40, of Bastrop, La., was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Robert G. James to pay $92,530 in restitution to the IRS for one count of aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return. According to evidence presented at the May 28, 2014 guilty plea, Cooper was a tax preparer at Faster Tax Refund Express in Bastrop from December 2010 to April 2011. She filed 17 fraudulent 1040 forms.  Sixteen returns contained a falsified Schedule F (profit and loss from farming) and a falsified Form 4136 (federal tax credit for tax paid on fuels).  Five contained a falsified Schedule C (profit and loss from business).  Because of the fraudulent forms, the IRS issued $92,530 to customers to which they were not entitled.  Also as part of the scheme, the defendant received approximately $2,275 in kickbacks from customers.  These payments were in addition to the fees the company charged

The IRS conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.