The fallout continues to grow following our investigation into a metro Atlanta tax preparer with a history of fraud.

“The person she turned out to be was just pure evil,” a victim said.

Dozens of firefighters, paramedics and police now say Ruth Barr, an elected official in Hapeville, targeted them as clients.

Why thousands of victims could have to pay back millions of dollars in bogus refunds. Read the story on myAJC.com and in this Sunday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Lead Nurse Practitioner Lori Reed examines a Covid patient at Piedmont Pulmonary Covid Recovery Clinic in Atlanta in 2022. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mostly attributed the nationwide rise in life expectancy to fewer deaths caused by the infectious disease. (Steve Schaefer/AJC file)

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez