Rachel Nicole Woolard, a 50-year-old woman from New Braunfels, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to account for and pay over withholding taxes, according to court documents.

Woolard 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. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, presiding over the case in San Antonio, ordered Woolard to pay the full amount in restitution to the U.S. Treasury during the sentence hearing.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas stated, "This defendant largely ignored the financial accountability that comes with owning and operating a business. 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."

Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office added, "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. 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."

The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (CI).