Ezra Hatcher Sr. and Sherry Hatcher, Income Tax Filing Fraud, Georgia 2024

AUGUSTA, GA:

A father-daughter duo of tax preparers are set to face sentencing after admitting to filing fraudulently inflated tax returns on behalf of clients, resulting in over $75,000 in excess refunds.

Ezra Hatcher Sr., 68, and Sherry Hatcher, 42, both of Augusta, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to charges stemming from their tax preparation services. Ezra Hatcher pled guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, while Sherry Hatcher pled guilty to Aiding and Assisting in the Filing of a False Tax Return.

“When citizens seek professional assistance in navigating our nation’s often-complex tax system, professional preparers provide substantial help in completing these necessary tasks,” said U.S. Attorney David H. Estes. “We and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate the illegal acts of preparers who violate their fiduciary duty as a means to enrich themselves.”

According to court documents and testimony, the IRS conducted an investigation of tax preparation services operated by Ezra Hatcher and Sherry Hatcher. The investigation determined that from 2014 to 2018, the two services filed 21 tax returns on behalf of seven individuals, knowing the returns contained false and fraudulent information relating to Schedule C expenses, income, and earned income credits.

The guilty plea subjects Ezra Hatcher to a possible statutory penalty of up to five years in prison, and he agrees to pay restitution of $69,682. Sherry Hatcher’s guilty plea subjects her to a possible statutory penalty of up to three years in prison, and she agrees to pay restitution of $4,141. In addition, each defendant is permanently prohibited from preparing or filing federal tax returns for anyone other than themselves.

The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry W. Syms Jr. and Jennifer A Stanley.

Related Federal Cases