Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Violations

On April 13, 2010, PATSY D. BAKER entered a plea of guilty to one (1) count of aiding and assisting the filing of a false return in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2) in the Middle District of Georgia.

The defendant will be sentenced before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The charge of aiding and assisting the filing of false returns carries a possible maximum sentence of three (3) years' imprisonment, and lor a possible maximum fine of $250,000.00.

Baker held herself out to the public as a tax preparer, and was the owner and operator of Elite Tax Service. Baker operated her tax refund preparation business out of a restaurant known as Kazzmo's, located in Eatonton, Georgia.

The defendant falsely represented to the Internal Revenue Service that the information contained in the tax returns for various taxpayers was accurate, when in truth and fact as the defendant well knew, the information contained therein was false. Such false information included representations of fictitious employment. The false information made it appear that the various taxpayers were entitled to larger income tax refunds than would be the case had the returns been truthfully and accurately completed. From on or about November 26, 2003, through on or about September 5, 2006, Baker did aid and assist in the preparation and presentation to the Internal Revenue Service of fifteen (15) Income Tax Returns Forms, 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040, which were fraudulent and false as to material matters, in that the returns represented that said taxpayers were entitled to larger income tax refunds than would be the case had the return been truthfully and accurately completed, wherein said taxpayers claimed $46,398.13.

The charges against Baker arose from an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Harry J. Fox, Jr.

Any questions concerning this matter should be addressed to Sue McKinney, Press Contact, United States Attorney's Office, at (478) 621-2602.