LANSING – Lori Bradford, 55, of Oakland County, has pled guilty to 10 felonies stemming from her preparation of false tax returns for clients and providing false supporting documents to the Department of Treasury, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
Bradford pled guilty as a 4-time habitual offender to the following 10 felonies:
- 4 counts of Uttering and Publishing;
- 3 counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime;
- 3 counts of Making/Permitting False Tax Returns.
Bradford prepared and filed tax returns that contained false statements and false claims for refunds. Despite being in possession of each individual’s real W2, Bradford would prepare the returns with an inflated withholding amount, which would lead to a larger claim for a refund. When the Michigan Department of Treasury sought to verify the accuracy of the returns, Bradford prepared and provided false W2s and other supporting documentation to Treasury.
“Millions of hard-working Michigan residents use tax preparers to help them submit accurate and honest returns,” Nessel said. “Taxpayers should be able to rely on tax professionals and be confident that the people they hire will follow the law. My office will continue to ensure that those who defraud the State of Michigan will be stopped and held accountable for their crimes.”
Bradford’s sentencing is scheduled for September 7, 2023, in front of the Honorable Jeffery S. Matis.
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