(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
 
 

Shreveport, Louisiana . . .  MONA LISA HERRINGTON, age 39, of Shreveport, entered a guilty plea to two counts of failure to file tax returns for the tax years 1997 and 1998, United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced today. The guilty plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne in United States District Court in Shreveport.  The sentencing has been scheduled for December 15, 2003.  In 1999, the Louisiana State Police Gaming Division began investigating HERRINGTON, who had submitted Video Gaming Applications in order to retain her license to operate video poker machines.  HERRINGTON stated on each of these applications that she had filed a 1997 federal income tax return.  After further investigation, it was determined that HERRINGTON had in fact not filed this return and had submitted the application to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board containing false information.

IRS Special Agent Jimmy Sandefur testified at today’s hearing that during 1997 and 1998, HERRINGTON received $315,438 and $343,434, respectively, from the video poker machines located at her businesses.  Based on this unreported income, HERRINGTON should have paid $12,599 for calendar year 1997 and $33,684 for calendar year 1998 in additional federal income taxes.

HERRINGTON faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both, on each count.  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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Gillespie, Jr.

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.

This and other press releases issued by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana can be found at our website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/law.