Monroe, Louisiana . . .   JAMES TERRY CHESTER, a former employee of HILL’s TAX SERVICE, a West Monroe business that provides tax return preparation services, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Robert G. James to spend 27 months in prison for filing false federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced.

HILL’S TAX SERVICE provides tax return preparation services for its clients. CHESTER, age 52, of Monroe, was an employee of HILL’S TAX SERVICE from 1997 through 2001.  CHESTER admitted that he assisted in the preparation of an individual federal income tax return for calendar year 1998 which was false and fraudulent.  The tax return fraudulently claimed deductions and credits to which the taxpayer was not entitled.  The fraudulent return prepared by CHESTER claimed a tax refund in excess of the amount the taxpayer was entitled to receive.

Sentencing in federal court is governed by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.  Parole has been abolished in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha J. Levardsen.

For further information, please contact United States Attorney Donald W. Washington at 337-262-6618 or First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Flanagan at 318-676-3600.