UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	FEBRUARY 4, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

HAMILTON WOMAN SENTENCED IN TAX FRAUD CASE

BIRMINGHAM:  SHARON BROWN-ACKLIN, 36, of Hamilton, Alabama, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, by Judge Sharon Blackburn, for 27 counts of preparing false tax returns.   In addition, BROWN-ACKLIN will have 1 year of supervised release and  was ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $79,832.00.

BROWN-ACKLIN, a tax preparer, prepared false and fraudulent tax returns for taxpayers and filed them with the Internal Revenue Service.  BROWN-ACKLIN’s use of false information, including filing status, inflated deductions and credits, resulted in $252,123.00 of improperly claimed deductions and exemptions. 

            "As we approach the height of the 2009 tax filing season, let today's sentencing of Ms. Brown-Acklin send the message to all unscrupulous tax return preparers that tampering with the integrity of our nation's tax system can result in jail time,” stated Reginael D. McDaniel, Special Agent In Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office.

            The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura D. Hodge on behalf of the United States.