DA: Former Deputy Admitted to Inflating Tax Returns

Maribel Crespo

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)  — A former Richland County Sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to preparing fraudulent tax returns for other former officers.

According to officials, 40-year-old Maribel Crespo admitted to illegally providing information of children to deputies tax returns, inflated the amount of money the filer would get on their return and then Crespo would split money with the child’s parents, herself and the tax filer.

Crespo’s actions caused a loss of nearly $330,000 to the Treasury Department, officials say.

A sentencing date has not yet been schedule, Crespo faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.