Informational: Federal Court Arraignment

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 18, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, the following individual was arraigned:

JAMES ZANDER, a 62-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared on charges of attempt to evade or defeat income tax and corrupt endeavor to obstruct or impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws. He is currently released on special conditions. If convicted of these charges, ZANDER faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release on the first charge; and 3 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years supervised release on the second charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad C. Spraker is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

The defendant pled not guilty to the charges.

The charge, an indictment, information or complaint, is merely an accusation and all persons named as defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A pre-trial conference and a trial date will be set and the United States will be required to prove the allegations set forth in the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.