News and Press Releases
Man sentenced for filing false tax return
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS – Earlier today in federal court, a Minnesota man, who was employed at two multi-national corporations including General Mills, was sentenced for filing a false federal income tax return for tax year 2006. United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced David A. Wright to five months in federal prison on one count of filing false returns. Wright was charged on February 22, 2011, and pleaded guilty on April 8, 2011.
After today’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones reminded people that the deadline
for filing their 2011 federal income tax returns is midnight tonight. He also reiterated the
importance of filing accurate returns, stating, “Taxes pay for our highways and schools, among
other things. Everyone must pay what is required under the law. This office will vigorously
prosecute those who intentionally file false returns in an effort to pay less than what they truly
owe.”
In his plea agreement, Wright admitted that he filed a false tax return for tax year 2006 by
reporting a taxable income of $0, despite earning $152,271. He falsely claimed $135,000 in
moving expenses, $14,900 in medical expenses, and $28,715 in un-reimbursed employee
expenses. Wright also admitted that when the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) confronted him
regarding the false return, he provided the agency with a falsified cancelled check in an attempt
to justify a portion of the falsely reported deductions.
In entering his plea, Wright also admitted filing false tax returns for tax years 2005 and
2007. In 2005, he reported a taxable income of $0, despite earning $65,151. Wright falsely
claimed $10,000 in moving expenses, $14,000 in medical expenses, $20,970 in un-reimbursed
employee expenses, $10,500 in gifts to charity, $33,511 in home mortgage loan interest, and
$11,719 in a carry-forward credit. In 2007, he reported a taxable income of $35,429, when, in
fact, he earned $101,018. Wright falsely claimed $19,000 in moving expenses, $7,600 in medical
expenses, $12,140 in charitable contributions, $10,460 in un-reimbursed employee expenses, and $13,719 in a mortgage interest credit. He also falsely claimed his daughter as a dependent on the
return.
This case was the result of an investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and
was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Perzel.
A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial. Per U.S.
Department of Justice policy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is not allowed to provide the age and city of residence for
defendants charged in criminal tax cases.
