Lansing, MI - On Thursday, December 7, 2023, Lori Bradford, 56, of Southfield, was sentenced to 15 months’ incarceration with the Michigan Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to 10 felonies stemming from her preparation of false tax returns for clients and providing false supporting documents to the Department of Treasury, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
Bradford prepared and filed tax returns that contained false statements and false claims for refunds. Despite the fact that she was in possession of each client’s real W2, she prepared the returns with an inflated withholding amount, leading to a larger claim for a refund. When the Michigan Department of Treasury sought to verify the accuracy of the returns, Bradford prepared and provided false W2s and other supporting documentation to Treasury.
“Tax preparers have a responsibility to follow the law, to operate with integrity, and to prepare their clients’ tax returns honestly and accurately,” Nessel said. “People who cheat the tax system hurt everyone. Tax dollars support our schools, fix our roads, and support state and local government. My office and the Department of Treasury will continue to hold accountable those who defraud the State of Michigan.”
As a 4-time habitual offender, Bradford pled guilty to:
- four counts of Uttering and Publishing;
- three counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime; and
- three counts of Making/Permitting False Tax Returns.
The plea agreement required Bradford to pay $25,000 towards the costs of prosecuting this case. Judge Jeffrey S. Matis presided over the sentencing in the 6th Circuit Court for Oakland County.