Tallahassee Sun

Cedrick Campbell, 49, of Quincy, Florida, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to eleven counts of aiding in preparing false tax returns. He was also ordered to pay $378,041 in restitution. The sentencing was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The United States relies on the honest payment of taxes to defend our country and maintain its operations,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With the assistance of our dedicated partners at the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, we are committed to investigating and prosecuting those who steal from hard-working American taxpayers – whether by traditional evasion or the filing of fraudulent claims to further their criminal schemes.”

Between 2018 and 2022, Campbell operated an unofficial tax preparation business from his home in Quincy, Florida. During this period, he prepared and filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service by misrepresenting taxpayers’ deductions, credits, and refunds due.

“A tax preparer who fraudulently inflates your refund isn’t doing you any favors,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office. “Instead, it exposes clients to penalties and interest to be paid and dealt with for years to come. An honest preparer will be transparent and willing to explain everything that you’re entitled to. Unscrupulous preparers, like Mr. Campbell, should know that they will be investigated and face serious consequences.”

This conviction resulted from an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Gary Milligan prosecuted the case.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.