Former Worth County Tax Commissioner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

Former Worth County Tax Commissioner Tabetha DuPriest, 57, admitted guilt in failing to report earnings from work done for four Georgia cities on her tax return. DuPriest pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner today. Potential penalties include up to three years in prison, a $100,000 fine, and restitution, with no eligibility for parole.

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary stated, “There is no excuse for a long-time Tax Commissioner to fail to report earnings on personal income taxes, just like other citizens must do.”

Rich Bilson, Senior Supervisory Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Albany office, emphasized, “Tax evasion undermines the integrity of our tax system and harms honest taxpayers. The FBI remains committed to upholding tax compliance.”

Demetrius Hardeman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, added, “As a tax commissioner, Tabetha DuPriest breached the public trust by willfully failing to report all of her income as required by law.”

DuPriest served as Worth County Tax Commissioner since 2001 and President of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials from 2019-2021. Investigations revealed she failed to declare additional income from contracts with four municipalities since becoming Tax Commissioner. She received $99,293.65 from 2016 to 2021 but did not report it. This resulted in a $27,924.22 tax loss and requires $22,482.22 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS.