RALEIGH – A Wake County tax preparer pleaded guilty Friday in Wake County District Court to charges filled by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

Robin Denise Champion, 36, of 1209 Curtiss Drive, Garner, pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of fraudulent North Carolina individual income tax returns.

District Court Judge Jane Gray consolidated the 11 felony counts into one judgement and sentenced Champion to a six-month minimum, eight-month maximum prison term. The sentence was suspended and Champion was placed on supervised probation for two years. Champion was ordered to pay a criminal fine of $1,500 and must not assist in the preparation of any state tax returns during her probation.

The state's evidence showed that Champion willfully aided or assisted in the preparation of 11 fraudulent federal and state income tax returns while employed with H&R Block. Champion overstated itemized deductions listed on her clients' federal income tax returns, thereby reducing both their federal and state taxable income without their knowledge.

The charges against Champion resulted from an investigation by special agents with the Department of Revenue's Criminal Investigations Division.

Last modified on: 10/31/07 03:43:45 PM.