RICH SQUARE – A trio of employees at a Rich Square tax preparation business and one of the company’s clients all face tax fraud related charges following a local and federal investigation.

Rich Square Police Chief Bo Roye launched the initial investigation in late March after receiving a complaint of identity theft from an ex-employee of Well Kept Tax Solutions, located at 117 South Main Street. Roye said the business opened on January 1 of this year.

“In the complaint the ex-employee alleges that other employees at the business used her credentials to file federal and state taxes after she left the business,” Roye stated.

Roye said a search warrant for the business was issued and numerous documents and three computers were seized as evidence in this case.

“Within the documents and computers it was found that most of these documents were fraudulently created and used in various ways to file taxes,” Roye noted. “Nothing was found to support the original allegation of identity theft, however many other illegal acts were found.”

With the assistance of IRS Criminal Investigations agents and agents with the US Secret Service, arrest warrants were issued on three tax preparers and one cooperating client. Those under arrest to date are:

Laquita Taylor of Woodland, co-owner/operator of Well Kept Tax Solutions. She was taken into custody on July 29 and charged with forgery of endorsement on a fraudulently created document and conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. She was released on a $12,000 secured bond.

Tracy Boyce of Rich Square, owner/operator of Well Kept Tax Solutions. She turned herself in to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department on Aug. 2 and was arrested for conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense, possession of more than five counterfeit documents and Notary fraud. She was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond by a Halifax County Magistrate.

Corey Williams of Farmville, an employee of Well Kept Tax Solutions. He also surrendered at the Roanoke Rapids Police Department on Aug. 2 and was arrested for two counts of obtaining property by false pretense. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond by a Halifax County Magistrate.

Barbara Harris of Woodland, a client of Well Kept Tax Solutions, has not yet been arrested and, according to Roye, is apparently avoiding arrest.

“Several attempts have been made to locate her at her residence,” Roye said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Harris, charging her with conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Those with information concerning her whereabouts are asked to please call Rich Square Police at 252-539-2136, Northampton County Crime Stoppers at 252-534-1110 or the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office at 252-534-2611.

All those arrested thus far are scheduled to appear Aug. 29 in Northampton County District Court in Jackson.

“This case involves so many clients and thousands of dollars,” Roye stated. “I encourage anyone who had their taxes done by this business and feel that their personal information or their taxes have been jeopardized to contact me at 252-539-2136 or the IRS, toll free, at 1-800-908-4490. I would recommend having your taxes completed by a professional company.”