MDGA Press Release

DATE: January 26, 2007
CONTACT: Sue McKinney

ALBANY MAN SENTENCED TO EIGHTY-SEVEN MONTHS FOR PREPARATION OF FALSE AND FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS
Maxwell Wood, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced that on January 25, 2007, JAMES E. THORNTON, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced before the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States Chief District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia. THORNTON was convicted by a jury on a Fourteen (14) count indictment. Counts One through Thirteen charged him with Assisting in the Preparation of False and Fraudulent Tax Returns, and count Fourteen charged him with Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. The case was a culmination of a six year investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division concerning the filing of numerous false and fraudulent federal Income Tax Returns in the Albany, Georgia area. Evidence presented at trial revealed that in early 1999 and early 2000, THORNTON provided individuals with false and fraudulent W-2 Forms directly or through a co-conspirator. The forms were subsequently used to prepare false tax returns at local commercial tax preparers. These fraudulent tax returns made claims for refunds to which the individuals were not entitled to receive. The refund amounts typically ranged from $3,000.00 to $5,400.00. THORNTON was sentenced to 87 months in prison, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release. There is no parole in the Federal system. In addition, THORNTON was ordered to pay restitution totaling $77,969.12 to the Internal Revenue Service and $23,574.05 to Bank One. The investigation was conducted by Special Agent Jack Wood of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracia M. King. Any questions concerning this matter should be addressed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2620.

RETURN TO PRESS RELEASES

Maxwell Wood, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced that on January 25, 2007, JAMES E. THORNTON, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced before the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States Chief District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia. THORNTON was convicted by a jury on a Fourteen (14) count indictment. Counts One through Thirteen charged him with Assisting in the Preparation of False and Fraudulent Tax Returns, and count Fourteen charged him with Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.

The case was a culmination of a six year investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division concerning the filing of numerous false and fraudulent federal Income Tax Returns in the Albany, Georgia area. Evidence presented at trial revealed that in early 1999 and early 2000, THORNTON provided individuals with false and fraudulent W-2 Forms directly or through a co-conspirator. The forms were subsequently used to prepare false tax returns at local commercial tax preparers. These fraudulent tax returns made claims for refunds to which the individuals were not entitled to receive. The refund amounts typically ranged from $3,000.00 to $5,400.00.

THORNTON was sentenced to 87 months in prison, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release. There is no parole in the Federal system. In addition, THORNTON was ordered to pay restitution totaling $77,969.12 to the Internal Revenue Service and $23,574.05 to Bank One.

The investigation was conducted by Special Agent Jack Wood of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracia M. King.

Any questions concerning this matter should be addressed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2620.