UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	APRIL 6, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

TARRANT CITY WOMAN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TOCONSPIRING TO FILE FALSE CLAIMS

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Alice H. Martin and Reginael D. McDaniel, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigation Division, Internal Revenue Service, announce an Information and Plea Agreement, to plead guilty to conspiring to make false claims for money to the government by filing false tax returns, was filed today against ALBANY ASHLYN DUNNING BATES, 27, from Tarrant .

            According to the documents filed in U. S. District Court, in 2004 and 2005, BATES agreed with another person that one of them would submit false tax returns to the IRS that claimed refunds to which BATES and her co-conspirator were not entitled.  The fraudulent tax refunds were paid by direct deposit into one of several accounts at a bank where BATES worked as a teller.  BATES then withdrew the fraudulently obtained refund money.
           
            Upon conviction, BATES faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ incarceration and a fine of $250,000.  A date for her guilty plea will be set in the future by the court.

            “As April 15th approaches taxpayers are warned that any form of tax fraud will be vigorously prosecuted.  When you attempt to cheat the system you are cheating all taxpayers,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

                "As we move into the final weeks of the 2009 tax filing season, I would like to send a message to any unscrupulous tax return preparers - tampering with the integrity of our nation's tax system can result in prosecution and jail time," stated Reginael D. McDaniel, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigation Division, Internal Revenue Service.

            This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  Matthew J. Mueller and Jed M. Silversmith, trial attorneys for the United States Department of Justice Tax Division, and Assistant United States Attorney Melissa K. Atwood are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
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