SC woman pleads guilty to tax preparation fraud

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Spartanburg County woman has pleaded guilty to charges in a tax preparation fraud case.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles says 29-year-old Teresa Marie Bravo of Pacolet (Pak-let) pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court.

Bravo faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced later.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Stephens says Bravo worked for a company that operated a tax preparation business with offices in Spartanburg and Forest City, N.C.

Stephens says the company and its employees filed more than 10,000 U.S. income tax returns claiming more than $22 million in refunds, of which about $18 million involved fraudulent claims. Stephens says it appears at least $13 million has been paid.

Nettles says16 people have been convicted in the investigation, which is continuing.