Tax consultant caught filing false returns

An El Cajon woman has admitted to preparing false tax returns on behalf of her clients, fraudulently reducing their tax burden by $1.2 million between 2008 and 2010.

According to a federal Department of Justice announcement, Marla Cunningham, 50, owner of Cunningham Tax Service, used "false charitable deductions, unreimbursed employee expenses, education credits, medical and dental expenses and business expenses" on three occasions to underreport her clients' true income.

Following her December 30 plea, Cunningham faces up to three years in prison for each count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false returns, along with restitution and penalty payments. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 10.