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Date: 07-23-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:20-cr-00354-WO
Judge: William L. Osteen, Jr.
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Guilford County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Greensboro, North Carolina criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with conspiracy to commit tax fraud and Aid in Preparing and Presenting False Tax Returns.
From 2012 through 2016, Audrey Renetta Odom, of Durham, conspired with Karen Jones and Andrea Pasley t prepare false returns for clients. The returns fraudulently lowered the clients’ tax liabilities or inflated their refunds by claiming false education credits or dependents or by manipulating the clients’ income to qualify for larger earned income tax credits. Odom admitted that some clients were charged up to $2,000 for preparing returns. Based on an analysis of the falsely claimed education credits, the tax loss is over $1.2 million.
Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS on Nov. 5, 2020, and was sentenced to 22 months in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Pasley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS on May 6 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 29.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen Jr. ordered Odom to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $1,239,847 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Todd Ellinwood and Trial Attorney Kavitha Bondada of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.
18:371 Conspiracy - Tax Fraud
(1)
26:7206(2); Aid in Preparing and Presenting False Tax Return
(8-14)
Outcome: 07/23/2021 55 SEALED PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT - REVISED FINAL as to AUDREY RENETTA ODOM. (Bateman, Janet) (Entered: 07/23/2021)
07/23/2021 Minute Entry for proceedings held before JUDGE WILLIAM L. OSTEEN, JR., in G-1: Sentencing Hearing as to AUDREY RENETTA ODOM held on 7/23/2021. USDOJ Attorney Todd Ellinwood present on behalf of the Government. Attorney John D. Bryson appeared on behalf of the Defendant. Defendant present on bond. Court grants 52 Sealed Motion. Defendant allowed to remain out on release on the the same terms and conditions as were previously imposed. Defendant ordered to report to the designated institution on or before October 1, 2021 at 12:00 PM. (Judgment forthcoming.) (Court Reporter Joseph Armstrong.) (Welch, Kelly) (Entered: 07/23/2021)
07/23/2021 SEALED ORAL ORDER granting 52 SEALED Motion as to AUDREY RENETTA ODOM (2). Issued by JUDGE WILLIAM L. OSTEEN, JR., on 7/23/2021. (See Minute Entry on 7/23/2021.) (Welch, Kelly) (Entered: 07/23/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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