UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	JULY 1, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

JACKSONVILLE, AL MAN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH BANKRUPTCY FRAUD SCHEME

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama announced today that DAVID JOSEPH DUCKETT has agreed to plead guilty to bankruptcy fraud and structuring the purchase of United States Postal Money Orders to avoid reporting requirements. 

            According to the information and plea agreement, Duckett’s bankruptcy schedules falsely understated his monthly income by more than $2,000 in order to conceal his true income from the bankruptcy trustee and creditors.  When questioned under oath about the accuracy of the schedules, Duckett falsely stated under oath that the schedules were accurate. To further conceal his true income, between February 8, 2008, and October 23, 2008, Duckett purchased 259 United States Postal Money Orders totaling $243,440.  Duckett structured the purchase of the money orders in order to evade the federal reporting requirements in 31 U.S.C. § 5325.

            This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Lloyd C. Peeples is prosecuting this case on behalf of the U.S. Government.

            Members of the public are reminded that an information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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