Area Man Sentenced for Preparing False Tax Returns

Columbia, South Carolina —- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Desmond Lamar Williams was sentenced for Preparation of False Tax Returns, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, § 7206(2).  Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, sentenced Williams to 24 months in jail after a sentencing hearing. 

Facts presented in court established that Williams was an active duty member of the United States Army for many years, and that for the tax years 2011-2014, he also worked as a tax preparer. An investigation by the Internal Revenue Service revealed that many of the returns Williams prepared contained false information. As a result of Williams’ fraudulent actions, the government suffered a loss of $712,728.00.

The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney John C. Potterfield, of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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