Athens Tax Preparer Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for $3.5 Million COVID Unemployment Fraud Scheme
Jessica Crawford, 34, of Athens, Georgia, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for her role in a multi-state COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefit fraud scheme. Crawford, a tax preparer, admitted to filing over $3.5 million in fraudulent tax returns and receiving a cut of the illicit gains.
U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III sentenced Crawford on May 8 to 96 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Crawford had previously pleaded guilty on November 22, 2024, to one count of wire fraud and one count of aiding and assisting in preparing and presenting false income tax returns. The federal system does not offer parole.
“Federal law enforcement uncovered a large-scale tax return scheme during the pandemic that was costing taxpayers while benefiting fraudsters,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Alongside our law enforcement partners, federal prosecutors will continue to uphold the law and pursue justice in these cases.”
According to court documents, an FBI investigation into a multi-state unemployment benefit scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed text messages linking Crawford, who operated Crawford Tax Services in Athens, to the scheme. Crawford filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits for individuals who had fabricated businesses or provided false information to fraudulently obtain the funds. In exchange, Crawford received a percentage of the illegally obtained benefits.
Further investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) included an undercover operation at Crawford’s business in April 2022. During this operation, Crawford instructed an undercover agent on how to falsely claim business expenses, leading to the creation of a fictitious landscaping business and a fraudulent tax refund claim of $12,359.
A statistical review of 1,261 tax returns filed by Crawford in tax years 2020 and 2021 by the IRS determined that she fraudulently filed returns for clients, resulting in losses exceeding $3 million due to falsely claimed credits for sick leave, family leave, and dependent care.
The FBI and the IRS-CI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Leah E. McEwen for the Government.
“Jessica Crawford lied and took advantage of funds designed to help those who were truly in need during the pandemic,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify and hold accountable anyone who defrauds taxpayers.”
