United States Attorney Leura G. Canary Middle District of Alabama

MONTGOMERY MAN INDICTED ON FEDERAL TAX FRAUD CHARGES

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA— Leura G. Canary, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, announced today the indictment of a Montgomery man on tax fraud charges. Tommy Jordan, age 52, was arraigned on April 3, 2008, on a 27-count indictment charging him with conspiring to defraud the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (Count 1), and with aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2) (Counts 2-27). Jordan entered a plea of not guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Terry F. Moorer and trial was set for June 23, 2008 before United States District Judge Myron H. Thompson. Jordan was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

According to the Indictment, Jordan operated a tax preparation business in Montgomery, Alabama, under the name Tax Tyme. Felicia Jackson and Tumekia Sanders were Tax Tyme employees. During 2005, Jordan, Jackson, and Sanders conspired to submit false claims for tax refunds to the IRS. The indictment specifies 26 returns that were false in various ways, including overstatement of income, fabricated business income and expenses, and falsified dependents. In addition, some of the returns were filed without the authority of the taxpayer. The returns sought refunds ranging from approximately $2600 to $5500, which was well in excess of the actual refund, if any, owed to the taxpayer.

Yesterday’s arraignment is the latest development in this case. Last summer, the alleged co-conspirators, Jackson and Sanders, each pleaded guilty to felony informations charging them with conspiracy to defraud the United States.

If convicted, Jordan faces a statutory maximum prison sentence of 5 years on Count 1 and 3 years on each of Counts 2-27. All of the counts also carry the possibility of an order of restitution and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew O. Schiff.
An indictment is merely an accusation of a criminal offense and the charged defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.