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GRAND JURY CHARGES MAN WITH INCOME TAX EVASION

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, January 9, 2007, that Pradeep Kumar Walia has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Income Tax Evasion.

The two-count indictment named Walia, age 40 as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Walia owned and operated Atlas Software Technologies in Allegheny County. On or about October 19, 2000, and October 18, 2001, Walia did knowingly and willfully attempt to evade and defeat a significant portion of the income tax due and owing to the United Stats of America for the calendar years 1999 and 2000 by preparing and signing false and fraudulent 1040 Income Tax Returns wherein the taxable incomes were misrepresented and the actual amount of taxes due were substantially greater.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Stallings, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Special Agent Jamie Bandzak of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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