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Department of Justice United States Attorney David L. Huber Contact: Sandy Focken |
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April 28, 2008
COLUMBIA, KENTUCKY TAX PREPARER INDICTED ON 68 COUNTS OF PREPARING FALSE FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS
– Indictment charges Thomas Turner with including false deductions on numerous returns
BOWLING GREEN, KY - A federal grand jury in Bowling Green returned an indictment against THOMAS ALLEN TURNER, 59 years of age, of Columbia, Kentucky, with 68 counts of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The indictment was returned on April 23, 2008, but was sealed until Turner’s arrest and initial appearance today before U.S. District Magistrate Judge E. Robert Goebel. Turner was released on $25,000 bond.
The Indictment alleges that Turner, between January, 2003, and March, 2006, prepared 70 tax returns for a number of different taxpayers which tax returns were fraudulent because they each contained false and fraudulent deductions to which the taxpayers were not legally entitled, including deductions for the cost of vehicles and construction of work buildings purportedly used in qualified businesses operated by the taxpayers. The Indictment alleges that Turner knew these deductions were false and fraudulent at the time he prepared the returns.
The indictment alleges the returns contained various fraudulent deductions including: 100% vehicle use in a qualified business, unreimbursed employee business expenses, attorney and accounting fees, computer, utility trailer, tool, and ATV purchases for use in a qualified business, and construction costs of work buildings in a qualified business. One return claimed an incorrect filing status and a fraudulent earned income tax credit.
If convicted, the maximum potential penalties are 204 years imprisonment, $17,000,000 in fines, and supervised release for a period of 3 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jim Lesousky, and it was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.
Turner is scheduled to appear for arraignment before the United States Magistrate Judge on May 28, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., in United States District Court in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation
only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless
proven guilty.
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