FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
August 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTRACTOR FOR DOJ AND EPA INDICTED FOR FAILING TO FILE FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS
Allegedly Failed to Pay $214,794 in Taxes While Receiving
Over $850,000 in Fees from the Government
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted Joseph Van Gieson, age 59, of Annapolis, Maryland, for failing to file federal income tax returns for tax years 2003 through 2006.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Sparkman of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.
“Fulfilling individual tax obligations is a legal requirement and those who willfully evade that responsibility will be prosecuted,” stated Rebecca Sparkman, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Washington DC Field Office. “IRS-Criminal Investigation special agents are doing their job to ensure honest taxpayers do not pick up the tab for those who do not file their tax returns.”
According to the four count indictment, since 2003,Van Gieson worked as a self-employed consultant for the United States Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency. From 2003 through 2006,Van Gieson and his wife received a gross income of $851,747, and incurred a tax liability of $214,794. According to the indictment, Van Gieson requested, and was granted, extensions for filing his federal tax returns for years 2003 through 2005, but the indictment alleges that he did not file a tax return for any of those years, nor did he file a tax return for 2006.
Van Gieson faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for each of the four counts of failure to file a tax return. No court appearance has been scheduled.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Mark W. Crooks, who is prosecuting the case.