Oakland County Woman Sentenced For Filing Phony Tax Returns

SOUTHFIELD, MI — An Oakland County woman was sentenced to prison for filing false tax returns for clients, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Lori Bradford, 56, will serve 15 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to four counts of uttering and publishing, three counts of using a computer to commit a crime and three counts of making false tax returns.

Bradford must also pay $25,000 toward the costs of prosecuting the case.

Prosecutors said Bradford prepared and filed tax returns that contained false statements and false claims for refunds. Even though she had each of her client’s real W2 forms, Bradford still prepared the returns with an inflated withholding amount, leading to a larger claim for a refund, prosecutors said.

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, prosecutors said.

"Tax preparers have a responsibility to follow the law, to operate with integrity, and to prepare their clients’ tax returns honestly and accurately," Nessel said. "People who cheat the tax system hurt everyone. Tax dollars support our schools, fix our roads, and support state and local government. My office and the Department of Treasury will continue to hold accountable those who defraud the State of Michigan."