The chain was accused of systematic fraud with preparers at other Mo Money franchises said to have utilized paystubs to prepare returns before tax season started, created fake W-2s and bounced refund checks issued to clients. In 2015, two Nashville, Tenn.-based Mo Money preparers were alleged to have cost the Internal Revenue Service more than $15 million in lost tax revenue on returns prepared in 2011.

Blanched and Pittman each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. The Internal Revenue Service said their actions in claiming bogus credits and refunds cost the United States between $250,000 and $550,000.

They each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge and three years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the charge of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Corey Taylor, 25, of Richmond, Va., pleaded guilty in October to the same charges for being involved in the scheme and is awaiting sentencing.

In September 2103, courts permanently barred the owners of Mo' Money Taxes, Markey Granberry and Derrick Robinson, as well as a former Mo' Money manager, Eumora Reese, from preparing tax returns for others and owning or operating such a business. Their actions were alleged to have gone back as far as the 2008 tax year.

Also in 2013, another chain store franchisee, Jimi Clark of Memphis, Tenn., was sentenced to 20 months in prison for falsely claiming educational tax credits on 47 returns. A co-defendant in that case was sentenced to six months in prison, while three others pleaded guilty and were sentenced in the same case. Clark's problems stem from returns prepared in 2009.

Granberry changed the name of at least some of the stores to MoneyCo USA in 2010 and then to Southern King Taxes in 2012.