September 9, 2009
For More Information Contact:
Supervisory AUSA Stephen M. Kunz
(850) 942-8430
Florida Man Indicted on Tax Evasion Charges
Gainesville, Florida - United States Attorney Thomas F. Kirwin, Northern District of Florida, announced today that Per-Olof Soren Ekstrand, 56, of Yankeetown, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of tax evasion, production of a fictitious government treasury instrument with the intent to defraud, and the corrupt interference with the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service. A trial date has been scheduled for October 13, 2009, before Senior United States District Judge Maurice M. Paul.
Ekstrand is accused of evading the payment of tax for the years 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 in the approximate amount of $439,543.30. He is also accused of producing what appeared to be an actual treasury instrument issued under the authority of the United States with the intent to use as payment for his tax debt, and obstructing the lawful functions of the IRS by, among other things, filing frivolous documents with the IRS and refusing to comply with IRS subpoenas. If convicted, Ekstrand faces a total term of up to thirty-three years imprisonment, a five year term of supervised release and a $750,000 fine.
This investigation was initiated by the Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brett Meltzer.
An indictment is merely a formal charge by the grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in United States District Court.