AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

MARCH 3, 2006

BOWIE MAN SENTENCED FOR TAX EVASION

Mastercard Used to Access Bank Accounts at Leadenhall Bank in Bahamas

BALTIMORE, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that today U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Richard Taylor, age 54, of Bowie, Maryland to one year and a day in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for tax evasion. Judge Blake also ordered Taylor to perform 100 hours of community service and to cooperate with the Internal Revenue Service in determining and paying his correct tax liability.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “Many tax evaders have been surprised to learn that the IRS is now able to trace money hidden in offshore bank accounts.”

According to the statement of facts presented to the court when he pleaded guilty on November 2, 2005, Richard S. Taylor evaded taxes for the tax years 1998 and 1999 in which he received taxable income of $350,868, and $436,507, respectively. Taylor did not file tax returns or pay taxes on the income. The tax due for 1998 was $106,974 and for 1999 was $148,507, for a total tax loss of $255,481.

Taylor admitted that he used a Mastercard credit card issued by Leadenhall Trust Co. Ltd., of the Bahamas, to access money generated through the tax fraud scheme.

Further information about the IRS’s offshore credit card program is available on the internet. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105698,00.html

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for its investigative work in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Robert R. Harding, who prosecuted the case.