Spartanburg Woman Sentenced to Probation for Preparing Fraudulent Tax Returns

Spartanburg Woman Faces Charges for Tax Fraud

Hey folks, here’s some news from our own backyard, beautiful Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Time to talk tax – not the most popular subject, we know, but this one’s pretty spicy. MS. Clarella Cade, a former tax preparer in the heart of our sunny county, is facing the music after being accused of preparing fraudulent state tax returns. Ms. Cade was arrested by State Department of Revenue agents back in 2021, and after a lengthy process, she was handed a two years probation sentence on November 8, 2024.

Details of the Case

Here’s the scoop. Apparently, Ms. Cade has been charged by the S.C. Department of Revenue (DOR) with 16 counts of making or assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. And not just by a couple of dimes, folks. We’re talking a whopping $422,000 in fraudulent business expenses added to all the returns she prepared. Yeah, that’s quite a biggie.

With these troublesome allegations hanging over her head, Ms. Cade decided to take action. But she did so in a pretty unusual way. Rather than admitting the crimes, she acknowledged that if the evidence were presented, she would probably be convicted for two counts of willfully preparing a fraudulent tax return. These two counts represent two years’ worth of potentially fraudulent returns. Quite a pickle, wouldn’t you say?

The Sentence

Our local Circuit Judge, Mr. Alex Kinlaw Jr., had a long think about what should be done. Eventually, he decided to sentence Ms. Cade to three years in prison and a cool $1,000 fine. But don’t get too excited folks – this sentence was suspended to just two years of probation. So, instead of behind bars, Ms. Cade will be spending some time reflecting on her actions under the watchful eyes of the probation service. As a side note, according to her lawyer, she has officially stopped preparing tax returns for other people as well. Probably a good move, all things considered.

A Warning for All

On a serious note, folks, this should stand as a stark reminder that it doesn’t pay to play fast and loose with the tax man. The DOR emphasizes it’s committed to enforcing fair tax laws and treating everyone equally. When people attempt to dodge their taxes, it creates an undue burden on the rest of the honest taxpayers. Nobody wants to pick up the slack for someone else’s sneaky actions, right?

If you ever suspect someone of committing tax fraud or tax evasion, you can make things right. Report it to the S.C. DOR by submitting a Tax Violation Complaint Form or by emailing them directly. By standing up to these sorts of economic crimes, you’re supporting a fairer tax system for everyone in South Carolina.

That’s all the tax talk for now, folks. Remember to always play by the rules and pay your taxes promptly and correctly. In our sunny Spartanburg County, we believe in fairness and honesty, so let’s keep it that way. Talk to you soon!