From staff reports
The Picayune Item
GULFPORT — According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, a Carriere tax preparer has been charged with fraudulently filing a federal tax return.
The release states Carolyn T. Lilly of Carriere, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert H. Walker in Gulfport on March 3, for her arraignment on federal tax charges.
Criminal information was filed on Feb. 10, charging her with a count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false federal tax return. If convicted, Lilly faces up to three years in prison.
The charge alleges Lilly aided and assisted in the preparation of a false 2005 tax return for two individuals, entitling them to claim $323,449 in casualty loss deductions. The criminal information alleges that the return was false because the taxpayers filing the return were not entitled to the deduction.
“While most return preparers provide excellent service to their clients, taxpayers should be careful in selecting the tax professional who will prepare their returns. It is a very important decision,” IRS CI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. De Palma said in the release.
Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the release states.
