A Tyler tax preparer has received a federal prison sentence after being involved in a tax refund fraud scheme. Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. announced the sentencing of Karistha Johnson, 38, who pleaded guilty to making false and fraudulent statements on a tax return. Johnson was given a 24-month sentence by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on April 15, 2025, and ordered to pay $1,244,934 in restitution.
"The Eastern District of Texas is committed to prosecuting tax preparers who engage in return preparer fraud schemes," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. "Schemes like this threaten to disrupt the orderly administration of the income tax system for law-abiding taxpayers, and taxpayers ultimately end up paying the bill."
Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, Christopher J. Altemus Jr., stated, "Ms. Johnson, in her role as a tax preparer, took advantage of those seeking assistance by filing fraudulent returns. By fabricating deductions and business expenses, she filed hundreds of false returns, resulting in more than $1.2 million in fraudulent refunds. The women and men of IRS-CI remain dedicated to safeguarding our tax system and ensuring that individuals who engage in fraudulent activities face the full consequences under the law."
Court documents revealed that Johnson was part of a multi-year fraud scheme involving the filing of tax returns with false and fraudulent statements. She prepared and filed 610 returns from 2017 through 2019, receiving fraudulent refunds amounting to $1,244,934.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld.