Louisiana State Representative Girod Jackson Charged With Federal Tax Violations

Louisiana State Representative GIROD JACKSON, age 41, was charged today in a three count Bill of Information for violating provisions of the United States Tax Code.  Specifically, Jackson was charged with one count of Making a Fraudulent Statement on a Tax Return, a felony, and two counts of Willful Failure to File Tax Returns, misdemeanors.

According to court documents, JACKSON who represents District 87, an area that includes portions of the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, misrepresented on his federal tax return for 2006 the total income received by his company, Diversified Ventures, LLC.  In 2007 and 2008, despite having earned sufficient income from Diversified Ventures and other sources and having filed requests for extensions of time to file his tax returns, JACKSON failed to file any returns at all. JACKSON was elected to office in 2007 and served his first full year as State Representative for District 87 in 2008.

If convicted, JACKSON faces the possibility of up to three years in prison and a $100,000 fine for Count 1 and up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for Counts 2 and 3.

United States Attorney Dana Boente cautions that a Bill of Information is only a charge and that JACKSON’s guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was led by the Internal Revenue Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Friel.

(Download Bill of Information )