Already in prison, former tax preparer gets 10 years probation for other crimes

Ruth Barr

Ruth Barr

Already in prison on another conviction, a former tax preparer in south Fulton County was sentenced to 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to several crimes.

In 2017, state Department of Revenue agents raided Ruth Barr’s tax business, spokesman William Gaston said. The raid came after a lengthy investigation into her business.

She also served as a city councilwoman in Hapeville.

MORE: Fulton councilwoman gets 5 years for conning dying Gwinnett relative

"Ruth Barr was one of the worst offenders for filing fraudulent tax returns," revenue official Josh Waites said. "She did a disservice to legitimate tax preparers across the state and we are pleased with the guilty plea and the sentence."

She pleaded guilty Wednesday to computer theft, false statements and criminal attempt to commit theft, Gaston said. Her 10-year probation goes into effect once she leaves prison.

Barr was sentenced to five years in prison in 2017 in Gwinnett County after she was found guilty of conning more than $100,000 from a dying relative in 2013.

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