Karen Tompkins, Conspiracy to File False Tax Returns, WI 2024

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a stunning revelation from the Eastern District of Wisconsin, a federal grand jury has indicted four former tax preparers for conspiracy and filing false tax returns. Karen Tompkins (57), Shalonda Burns (40), Latoya Bush (37), and Lori Ann Stringfellow (55), all residents of Milwaukee, have been accused of preparing fraudulent tax returns at the Liberty Tax Service Branch located at 3929 N. Humboldt Boulevard.

The alleged scheme involved fabricating business income and false expense invoices to inflate clients’ refunds, with kickbacks from the refunded amounts. Each defendant faces serious charges: Tompkins, Bush, and Stringfellow could each be sentenced up to 14 years in prison for conspiracy and aiding in filing false returns. Burns, charged with aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and additional counts of tax fraud, could face a total sentence of 33 years including a mandatory two-year term.

IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Hubbard Burgess warned, “Tax preparers like these are out there during tax season. They think they’re getting away with stealing from the government and taxpayers, but this case shows justice will catch up.”

An investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation division led to the charges, which are now being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Taibleson.

This is a stark reminder that tax preparers must adhere to the law or face severe consequences. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.