New Braunfels Business Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Evasion

SAN ANTONIO – A New Braunfels woman was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 18 months in prison for failure to account for and pay over withholding taxes.

According to court documents, Rachel Nicole Woolard, 50, owned and operated a healthcare staffing company called Reliance Therapy Staffing, LLC. From the first quarter of 2018 through the first quarter of 2020, she willfully failed to account for and pay over employment taxes for nine tax periods, resulting in a total tax loss of $924,752.76. At the sentence hearing, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Woolard to pay the full amount in restitution to the U.S. Treasury.

“This defendant largely ignored the financial accountability that comes with owning and operating a business,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It is critical to understand, especially in the middle of tax season, your responsibility when it comes to paying taxes. If you choose to pocket taxes that you owe, our partners at IRS Criminal Investigation will uncover your fraud and we will hold you accountable with serious consequences.”

"Woolard made a conscious decision to evade paying nearly $1 million in taxes, enabling her to live a more lavish lifestyle. She knowingly engaged in illegal activity and now she must pay the price," said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. "This sentencing, occurring during tax season, emphasizes the dedication of CI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensuring tax criminals are held accountable for their actions.”

IRS CI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Harris prosecuted the case.

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