MAURICE R. PALMER, age 51, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged yesterday in a one-count bill of information with tax evasion, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to court documents, it is alleged that from 2006 through 2009, PALMER, a former New Orleans Police Department officer, did not file federal taxes. During this period of time, PALMER did file a Form W-4 with his employer, the NOPD, wherein he falsely claimed he was “exempt” from any taxes. According to court documents, based on this form, no taxes were withheld from PALMER’s paychecks in the years 2008 and 2009. According to the Bill of Information, as a result of the filing of his W-4 form, PALMER received taxable income of $68,170, to which there is a tax due and owing to the United States of $13,388 for the tax year 2008.

If he is convicted, PALMER faces a maximum penalty of up to five (5) years imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, a $100,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was being investigated by agents from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Matt Chester.

(Download Bill of Information )

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