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

Brenda C. Deese, 43, of 844 Old Baker Road, Maxton, pleaded guilty on June 6, 2005 to 16 counts of aiding or assisting in the preparation of fraudulent returns.

Wake County District Court Judge Joyce Hamilton sentenced Deese to five consecutive eight-month minimum, 10-month maximum prison terms. The sentence was suspended and Deese was placed under house arrest for six months to be followed by 36 months supervised probation. She was ordered not to aid, advise or assist in the preparation of any tax returns other than her own while on probation. Deese was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service within the first 12 months of her probation, pay court costs and pay a $500 criminal fine.

An investigation by a special agent with the North Carolina Department of Revenue found that Deese, through Dek’s Tax Service and Sharonnia’s Tax Service, both operating from 844 Old Baker Road in Maxton, knowingly and willfully prepared and filed fraudulent North Carolina individual income tax returns for the tax years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

The charges against Deese resulted from an investigation by a special agent with the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Last modified on: 10/31/07 03:43:55 PM .