ATHENS CPA SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF MAIL FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND TAX EVASION

BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama, Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and James D. Vickery, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, announce that DONNA MADISON BRUCE was sentenced today on charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. BRUCE waived indictment by a federal grand jury on August 10, 2004, and agreed to plead guilty to a three-count Information which charged her with one count each of mail fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. BRUCE pled guilty to these charges on August 30, 2004. BRUCE, a self-employed certified public accountant, was charged with taking monies belonging to the victim company, JCG Management, one of her accounting clients, and converting those funds for her personal use between April 15, 2002, and July 5, 2004.

BRUCE, 43, of Athens, Alabama, was sentenced by United States District Judge R. David Proctor to 37 months in prison, ordered to pay $872,372.42 in restitution, and was given 5 years supervised release after the prison term is served. In addition, BRUCE was ordered to forfeit property purchased with JCG Management funds and to transfer title in the following property: a $78,000 residence, a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban, and a 2001 Chevrolet C1500 pickup truck.

"Ms. Bruce used her position as a CPA to steal from a local business, thereby breaking the trust that business had in her. Fortunately, this investigation and prosecution was able to swiftly secure her conviction and sentence and force her to give up the proceeds of her illegal activity," said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "I believe that this case sends a message to other would-be white collar criminals that not only will their crimes be vigorously investigated and prosecuted, but they will also be forced to surrender the profits and property they obtain through their illegal activities."

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angela Redmond Debro.

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