United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

TAX PREPARER ARRESTED
ON CHARGES IN FEDERAL INDICTMENT

DALLAS — Lawrence E. Weathersby was arrested yesterday by agents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Criminal Investigation on charges outlined in an indictment returned last month and unsealed yesterday, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. That indictment charges Weathersby with 10 counts of aiding or assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Weathersby appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney who ordered him detained.

According to the indictment, from August 2001 to April 2003, Weathersby aided, assisted in, procured, counseled and advised the preparation and presentation to the IRS of tax returns which were false and fraudulent, representing that the taxpayers were entitled to certain deductions, when he well knew the claimed deductions were false.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, the maximum statutory penalty for each count is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the IRS - Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Hastings.

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