Dormeshia A. Haire, a tax return preparer from St. Clair County, pleaded guilty on April 29 to federal charges related to filing false tax returns and wire fraud.
Haire admitted in district court that she intentionally made false statements on both her own and clients’ tax return forms, resulting in significant financial losses for the government. According to court documents, Haire’s actions led to an outstanding tax obligation of more than $600,000 owed to the Internal Revenue Service and an additional $48,000 owed to the State of Illinois.
Haire owned several businesses involved in preparing taxes: Dormeshia Taxes, Dormeshia Haire Taxes, Dormeshia Haire Tax Services, and One Tax Guru Financial Services, Inc. She was originally charged in April 2024; a superseding indictment with nine counts was returned by a federal grand jury in March 2026. The charges include one count of making false statements on a tax return, one count of wire fraud, and three counts of aiding and abetting the submission of fraudulent returns.
“Dormeshia Haire cheated the tax system twice over. She falsified her own returns and then worked with clients to file hundreds of other fraudulent returns,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This crime represents a toxic ‘free-money mentality’ that leads people to fleece public programs. With the 2026 tax filing season now concluded, this Office remains vigilant and will continue to prosecute those who think they can game the system.”
The District Court found clear evidence that Haire violated her bond conditions on April 6; as a result her bond was revoked and she is now in custody pending sentencing scheduled for August 5 at the federal courthouse in Benton.
“Ms. Haire admitted that she helped prepare and submit false returns on behalf of clients. We let the public know about such cases to sound a warning that taxpayers must do their due diligence when selecting a return preparer,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. “Although the 2026 tax filing season has ended, our commitment to tracking fraudulent return preparers and bringing them to justice has no end.”
Convictions for making false statements or aiding others with fraudulent filings are punishable by up to three years imprisonment each; wire fraud convictions carry up to twenty years imprisonment.
IRS Criminal Investigation is leading this case’s investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard is prosecuting it.
The Department of Justice recently announced creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division aimed at investigating those who misuse taxpayer funds—a part of President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance focused on eliminating fraud within Federal benefit programs.
