January 7, 2004

Memphis Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Charge In Investment Scheme

Memphis, TN - Terrell L. Harris, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced today that ANITA M. GANT, of Memphis, pled guilty today to one count of income tax evasion before U.S. District Judge Jon P. McCalla. Gant, along with her husband, Ricardo A. Gant, and Keith N. Smith, were charged by a federal grand jury on October 16, 2003, in a nationwide scheme that defrauded private investors and churches of approximately $3.5 million.

The 51-count indictment charged all three defendants with securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy. Ricardo and Anita Gant were also charged with money laundering and tax evasion. The indictment states that the Gants operated the scheme from 1997 through 2001 from their business, Capital Plus Worldwide Financial Services, Inc., located at 3865 Viscount, Suite 5, Memphis, Tennessee. Ricardo Gant solicited individuals and churches to invest in "Joint Venture Partnerships" that guaranteed the safety and security of the investment, and promised gains of 60% to 200% annually. Subcontractors were trained by the Gants to sell the contracts in their hometowns and investment monies were then mailed or wired to Capital Plus. The investigation revealed that these funds were instead used by the Gants to build a new home, invest in horses, purchase antiques, travel within and outside the United States, or were converted to their own personal investment portfolios.

During the plea hearing, Gant admitted to failing to report in excess of $500,000 in income on her 1998 federal income tax return filed with the Internal Revenue Service. This investigation was conducted by FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Cam Towers Jones represented the government.

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