Monroe Lawyer Sentenced To 28 Months In Prison For False Tax Claims

MONROE, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Francis C. Broussard, 54, of West Monroe, La., was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Robert G. James to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release for making false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in an attempt to receive more than $9.7 million in tax refunds. He pleaded guilty April 19, 2013.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Broussard, who has been licensed to practice law in Louisiana since 1986, filed personal tax returns in 2009 for years 2005 to 2008 using documents containing false information in an attempt to receive a total of 9.7 million in refunds to which he was not entitled.  Broussard did not receive the requested refunds.

The IRS criminal investigations unit conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Cytheria Jernigan prosecuted the case.