Milledgeville tax return preparer obtained $30,000 from fraudulent claims, feds say
A tax return preparer in Milledgeville faces fines and prison time for falsely filing fax documents on behalf of two clients, according to federal court records.
Santeva Speights, who prepared tax returns in Milledgeville, was charged Thursday with two counts of tax fraud after obtaining $28,490 from fraudulent tax filings, according to a federal indictment.
While preparing tax returns for two individuals, Speights allegedly filed an additional form regarding sick and family leave credit for self-employed individuals. The form reported credit for leave “taken due to certain COVID-19 related circumstances such as quarantine, caregiving, and school closures,” according to the indictment.
However, the individuals were ineligible to receive the credit, according to prosecutors. The clients were unaware that the additional form had been filed on their behalf.
One form was filed Feb. 2, 2022, and Speights allegedly received $13,310. Another form filed on Jan. 31, 2022, and paid out $15,180.
Speights faces a maximum of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
