FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2005

www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln                                          

                                               

 

CHEROKEE COUNTY BOOKMAKER PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION

 

 

BIRMINGHAM, AL -  Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and  James D. Vickery, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations announce that JAMES “FROG” WEST, 61, of Centre, Alabama pled guilty today to three counts of a federal information on charges of federal excise tax evasion. According to Martin:

 

            West operated a bookmaking operation in Centre, Alabama and received hundreds of thousands of dollars of wagers from bettors each month that he did not report to the Internal Revenue Service and did not pay federal excise taxes. Federal law requires that a monthly report be filed each month with the IRS and that a 2% excise tax be paid on all wagers, notwithstanding the illegality of the gambling operation itself. West took bets on sporting events, primarily football. West admitted his management of the illegal operation and has cooperated with law enforcement officials in an ongoing investigation into public corruption in Cherokee County.

 

            Martin praised the strides that have been made during the past year to root out graft and corruption in Cherokee County. “The corner is being turned. Several of those individuals who once conducted their illegal activities with a certain degree of boldness have been removed from office, are no longer in business, and are now in prison” said U. S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. “The public deserves clean government and a place to live where the rule of law is followed.”

 

            WEST could receive a maximum of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $300,000.00.   Sentencing will be conducted  before United States District Judge L. Scott Coogler. A sentencing date has not been set.

 

            This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.

 

            Assistant United States Attorney Pat Meadows is prosecuting the case.

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