Tax preparer pleads guilty to defrauding IRS out of millions

TAMPA — A Pinellas County tax preparer faces five years in prison after pleading guilty to filing false tax returns for clients that netted more than $5.2 million in unearned refunds.

Eurich Z. Griffin III, whose age was not disclosed in court papers, agreed to plead guilty to one charge of defrauding the U.S. government and, along with time in federal prison, faces a $250,000 fine and up to three years of parole when released. He may also be forced to provide restitution.

Three other charges against him will be dropped at sentencing, according to court papers.