UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	SEPTEMBER 30, 2008			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

SMITH FAMILY TIRE OWNERS OF CULLMAN CHARGED WITH TAX EVASION

            BIRMINGHAM, AL -  TIMOTHY SMITH, and his wife, LORI ANN SMITH,  both of Cullman, Alabama, and owners of Smith Family Tire, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of  Tax Evasion. The indictment is announced by  United States Attorney Alice H. Martin and  Reginael McDaniel, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.                   
                                   
            TIMOTHY SMITH and LORI ANN SMITH were charged in a two-count indictment filed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham.  The indictment charges that for 2002 and 2003 the coupled filed tax returns showing gross receipts of $1,877,212.00 which substantially understated their taxable income and taxes due.  The maximum sentence for evading the payment of taxes is five years and a $250,000.00 fine on each count.

            “The Smiths diverted cash from their business, hid it from their bookkeeper, and paid on property in Florida and North Carolina,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. 

              This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.  Department of Justice Tax Division Trial Attorney Matthew Mueller and Assistant United States Attorney Michael W. Whisonant are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment 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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