HATTIESBURG, Miss. ( WHLT ) – Special Agents from the State Auditor’s Office arrested a woman for submitting fraudulent certifications to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES).

State Auditor Shad White said Sharccara McNair was issued a demand letter upon her arrest for $31,763.85.

According to White, McNair is self-employed and a co-owner of Excellent Tax Pros in Hattiesburg. She allegedly submitted fraudulent certifications to MDES so she could receive unemployment benefits while employed as a tax preparer.

“Thank you to the staff of the Department of Employment Security for alerting us to this scheme and to the investigators and prosecutors holding McNair accountable,” said White.

If convicted, McNair faces up to 18 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.

McNair was previously arrested in January 2023, along with Stephanie McNair, on 34 counts of fraud. They allegedly prepared and filed false individual tax returns.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.

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