March 31, 2008

FORMER DELTA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT CHARGED WITH FILING A FALSE TAX RETURN

DENVER – Troy A. Eid, U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, and Terry L. Stuart, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, announced that late Friday, March 28, 2008, LADDIE LIVINGSTON, age 67, of Paonia, Colorado, was charged in a one count Information for filing a false tax return for 2002.

LIVINGSTON made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver on March 28, 2008, where he was advised of the charges pending against him. He is next scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court Judge Walker D. Miller’s courtroom in Denver on May 30, 2008, for a change of plea hearing, where the defendant will have an opportunity to enter a guilty plea.

According to the Information, on or about April 15, 2003, the defendant filed a joint U.S. Income Tax Return for 2002. The Information alleges that LIVINGSTON reported income totaling $102,110, when he knew his income was over of $200,000.

“There are criminal consequences, including being sent to prison, for lying on income tax returns,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid.

“With the April 15 tax deadline looming, it is important for people to have confidence that when they pay their taxes, their neighbors and competitors will do the same,” said Terry L. Stuart, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office.

Filing a false tax return carries a penalty of not more than 3 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to a $250,000

This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Harmon.

The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

An Information is a charging document where the defendant waives his or her Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.

           

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