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Mailing Address:
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5th Floor, The Law Building
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United States Attorney's Office |
Telephone (616) 456-2404
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330 Ionia Avenue, NW | Post Office Box 208 |
Fascilmile (616) 456-2408
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Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 | Grand Rapids, MI 49501-02008 |
Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The jury was presented with evidence that during 1999 through 2001, Mr. Ealy, a builder and carpenter who operated God's Country Builders, Traverse City, Michigan, earned approximately $239,000, but, since 1993, stopped filing income tax returns. During this time period, Mr. Ealy corresponded with the Internal Revenue Service claiming that he was exempt from taxation, that the tax laws were unconstitutional, and asserting that he was not a citizen of the United States. Other affirmative acts of evasion included Mr. Ealy refusing to provide his social security number to employers or general contractors and instructing them not to issue W-2 forms or Forms 1099 in his name. He also created a sham trust, transferring his personal funds into the account and using it to pay his everyday expenses. In 2002, Mr. Ealy notified the IRS that his name had been copyrighted and that if the IRS used his name for any purpose, the IRS would be subject to a $500,000 fee. Mr. Aouate stated, "The courts have consistently and unanimously held that these anti-tax arguments are frivolous. The anti-tax individuals continue to disregard the obvious that they must report their income to the IRS and use these arguments as an excuse for their greed." Ms. Chiara commended the special agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, for their work on this investigation and prosecution. |
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