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February 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Morgantown Man Convicted on Tax Violations

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 62 year old Morgantown, West Virginia, resident was convicted yesterday (January 31, 2007) on tax violations by Chief Judge Irene M. Keeley, who heard the case sitting without a jury in United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia in Clarksburg

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that CLEVELAND J. BILLER was convicted on charges contained in a five-count Indictment returned against him in March 2006.

BILLER was convicted on Counts One through Four of the Indictment charging him with filing false tax returns for the tax year 1999 declaring zero taxable income when his correct taxable income was approximately $196,397; for the tax year 2000 declaring zero taxable income when his correct taxable income was approximately $240,072; for the tax year 2001 declaring $8,164 taxable income when his correct taxable income was approximately $322,221; and for the tax year 2002 declaring zero taxable income when his correct taxable income was approximately $299,282. BILLER was convicted on Count Five of the Indictment charging him with corruptly obstructing and impeding the due administration of the tax laws by concealing unreported income in the approximate amount of $1,111,494 from late 1996 through September 18, 2003.

BILLER, who is currently free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum exposure of three years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count of the Indictment.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division.