Tax Preparer From Galloway Charged With Filing False Returns

GALLOWAY, NJ — A tax preparer from Galloway faces federal charges for using false information to increase her clients' tax refunds and filing her own false returns, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. Michele Griffin falsified information to net her clients higher tax credits and refunds on 19 returns, according to authorities.

Griffin, 40, received "substantial income" by preparing tax returns for others that she didn't report on her own tax returns, according to Carpenito. She also included false education expenses on her own returns, which granted her higher education credits and a higher refund than she was entitled to receive, authorities said.

She prepared 19 false tax returns on behalf of six clients for tax years 2013-16 and filed three false tax returns for herself from tax years 2013-15, according to Carpenito.

Griffin was charged with 19 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. She was also charged with three counts of filing her own false tax returns.

While preparing returns for clients, Griffin falsified their education expenses, dependent care expenses, business income, dependent information and unemployment income, according to authorities.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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