Former Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Indicted for Tax Crimes

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CRAIG A. TAFFARO, age 70, of Harvey and a former Chief Deputy for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, was charged today in a two-count Indictment with tax evasion and filing a false tax return.

According to the Indictment, TAFFARO willfully attempted to evade tax due and owing by, among other things, filing a return with false and exaggerated business expenses. If convicted, TAFFARO faces maximum terms of imprisonment of five years for tax evasion and three years for filing a false return.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Chandra Menon, Tracey Knight, and David Sinkman are in charge of the prosecution.