AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

DECEMBER 6, 2005

OWNERS OF ANNAPOLIS PLUMBING BUSINESS PLEAD GUILTY TO TAX CHARGES

BALTIMORE - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces today that Henry Martin Eberly, age 76, and Dolores C. Eberly, age 76, of Annapolis, Maryland pleaded guilty to tax evasion in connection with their plumbing business, Eberly Plumbing, Inc.

According to the statement of facts presented at today’s guilty plea, the Eberlys evaded their personal income taxes for the 1997, 1998 and 1999 tax years amounting to approximately $138,000. In order to prevent the seizure of business income by the Internal Revenue Service to satisfy an outstanding lien, Henry Eberly removed funds deposited into a business bank account in the form of cashier’s checks. Some of the funds were converted to cash or endorsed to vendors for the purchase of personal items such as a new Ford Expedition. The Eberlys failed to record the cashier’s checks used for personal expenses as income on their joint personal tax returns. They also admitted to making false statements on their business tax returns for the 1997 and 1998 tax years by under-reporting their gross receipts.

They face a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine. The Eberlys are scheduled for sentencing on February 15, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for the investigative work performed in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Craig M. Wolff, who is prosecuting the case.