TYLER, Texas - A Longview-area tax preparer has pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to commit tax fraud that caused more than $240,000 in losses to the United States, federal prosecutors announced.
Marneitha Reese Scott, 57, of Gilmer, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to aid, assist, counsel, or advise in tax fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell in the Eastern District of Texas.
According to information presented in court, Scott owned and operated a tax preparation business known as F.A.S.T. Financial Firm, which operated two locations in Longview. Prosecutors said Scott and others recruited tax preparers to work at the business and instructed them to submit fraudulent information on client income tax returns.
Investigators determined the scheme included directing preparers to claim false business losses and other fraudulent entries for clients who did not operate businesses. The returns were filed either by Scott or employees acting under her direction, and clients paid fees to have the returns prepared and submitted.
Authorities said the fraudulent activity resulted in a known tax loss of $243,899 for tax years 2019 through 2022.
Scott faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, along with potential fines and restitution. Officials noted that the final sentence will be determined by the court after completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.
