Embattled tax preparer guilty, sentenced to 20 years

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Ruth Barr, who was the center of an extensive Channel 2 Action News and Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation, was found guilty of theft by taking Wednesday in Gwinnett County Court.

Authorities said Barr was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to serve five.

Hapeville city manager William Whitson released the following statement: "Thank you for your e-mail. The City just received word regarding this matter. We have referred this issue to our legal team and will be pursuing any available options under the law regarding her tenure in Office. The City will have additional comments at a later point in time once we have had an opportunity to evaluate and assess all the information related to this case.”

RELATED STORIES:

• Mar 30, 2017: Attorneys argue weak state investigation into embattled tax preparer
• Mar 17, 2017: Channel 2 confronts tax preparers accused of defrauding clients
• Mar 2, 2017: Judge says tax preparer accused of fraud, can keep doing taxes
• Jan 11, 2017: Councilwoman charged after Channel 2 investigation
• Dec 21, 2016: Georgia begins to recoup $6.4M after Channel 2 tax fraud investigation
• Sep 29, 2016: Hapeville councilwoman faces new allegations in credit loan scheme
• Aug 5, 2016: Special Treatment? City Official Dodges Arrest Warrant in City She Serves
• May 26, 2016: Firefighters, police, paramedics targeted in fraudulent tax refund scheme
• May 26, 2016: Residents call for councilwoman to resign amid Channel 2 tax fraud investigation
• May 11, 2016: Councilwoman under criminal investigation after we uncover trail of fraud

The state launched its investigation into Barr after an investigation by Channel 2 Action News and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It revealed a pattern of Barr preying on clients, either by prepping returns that led to audit and penalties by the IRS or by getting them to loan her money.

Former clients have found themselves under widespread audits, as revenue investigators allege tax fraud, costing the state upward $6 million. Clients are

to back years of returns prepared by Barr.

“In my 30-some years of being a tax attorney in Georgia, I have not heard of the Georgia Department of Revenue trying to civilly shut down a tax preparer,” said Jeff Cohen, a tax attorney with Cohen, Cooper, Estep and Allen. The firm is representing Barr against the state.

Cox Media Group