Erie Woman Charged with Preparing False Tax Returns for Herself and Others

ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of false income tax return and aid or assist false or fraudulent document, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The fourteen-count indictment named Andrea Jones as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Jones prepared false federal income tax returns for herself and others who used her as their return preparer for calendar years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 42 years in prison, a fine of $3,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.