WACO, TX — A Waco tax returner was sentenced to 60 months in prison for her role in a scheme to defraud the U.S. on Thursday.
On August 6, Stacy Anderson plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S.
According to the indictment, Janell Lightner helped Stacey Anderson in the preparation and filing of false tax returns.
Anderson operated a tax return business, Anderson Professional Tax Services, in Waco. Lightner and Anderson conspired to defraud the U.S. by preparing false 2013 and 2014 individual income tax returns. They claimed false business items and/ or educational tax credits in order to increase their clients' tax refunds from the IRS.
Lightner and Anderson prepared returns from clients in Texas, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Lightner has admitted to causing a tax loss of over $1.3 million.
In June, Anderson also plead guilty to the conspiracy charge and filing a false 2014 income tax return. Anderson admitted to causing a tax loss of over $10 million.
Lightner's sentencing is set for Dec. 5.
Lightner faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge as well as a term of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
More information can be found on the division's website.
