PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Jim Vines
United States Attorney

Byron Jones
Assistant U.S. Attorney

JUN/3/04

FALSE INCOME TAX RETURN - US V MEHTA - MDTN - PLEA

Amal G. Mehta pleaded guilty this week to filing a false 1999 income tax return. Mehta admitted that he underreported income from his business, Northside Discount Liquor, on his 1999 income tax return by approximately $137,915. As part of his plea agreement, Mehta agreed to pay $70,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2004.

U.S. Department of Justice attorneys Patrick M. Pericak & Kris Hrones