Press Releases
IRS INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENT
April 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREGORY L. COURTNEY, age 50, formerly a resident of Mandeville, Louisiana, was charged in a three-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for income tax evasion, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, COURTNEY, while employed as an engineer for Shell Deepwater Development between 2000 and 2004, acquired control of Mercury Equipment and Services, Inc. and began writing checks for his personal expenses. These checks represented income to COURTNEY which was never reported on his individual income tax returns for 2001 - 2003. The indictment alleges that COURTNEY failed to report more than $1.2 million for the three year period.
If convicted, COURTNEY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years per count for a total of fifteen (15) years, a fine of $100,000.00
IRS Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael J. DePalma stated:
"The prosecution of individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes is a vital element in maintaining the public confidence in our tax system. Honest, hardworking Americans pay the price when others choose to evade their tax obligations and IRS-CI will continue to investigate these matters vigorously."
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Financial Crimes Unit.
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