FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 28, 2003

TAX FRAUD NETS CORDOVA WOMAN FEDERAL INDICTMENT

Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama; C. Andre Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Criminal Investigation Division, Internal Revenue Service; and Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announce that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against AMELIA STUDDARD, age 30, of Cordova, Alabama.

According to Martin, the 28-count indictment charges that STUDDARD, from 2000-2001, created and filed 26 false tax returns, in the names of various persons, claiming refunds that were not due. The sum of the refunds claimed was approximately $165,263.00. The indictment also charges that STUDDARD used the false returns to obtain for herself refund anticipation loans from a bank, again in the names of various individuals.

The case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Mike Rasmussen is prosecuting the case.

"Protection of the public fisc is a top priority. If you file false tax returns, expect to be indicted," stated U.S. Attorney Alice Martin.

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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