A Cleveland woman was charged on April 9 with preparing and filing false federal income tax returns for her clients, according to court documents released on April 14.
Sherita Booker, age 46, faces charges of aiding or assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent federal income tax returns. Authorities allege that Booker learned to prepare tax returns while working at a national company from June 2016 to April 2017 before starting her own business under various names.
Investigators say that Booker attached fraudulent Schedule C documents—used to report business profits and losses—to her clients’ Form 1040 filings even though those clients did not operate businesses. She is also accused of using other methods to reduce the amount of taxes owed by her clients. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division conducted the investigation.
If convicted, Booker could face up to three years in prison for each count. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors. Assistant United States Attorneys Brenna L. Fasko and Elliot Morrison are prosecuting the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
Officials remind the public that a criminal complaint is only an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
