MICHIGAN TAX SCAM PROMOTER ARRESTED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT

Self-Styled “Lawman” Surrenders to the U.S. Marshals

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Marshals arrested Charles Conces of Battle Creek, Mich., earlier today, the Justice Department has announced. The arrest resulted from a federal judge’s order on the Feb. 23, 2007, finding Conces in civil contempt of court for failing to obey a court order entered on February 8.

The February 8 order compelled Conces to disclose to the government the identities of certain persons for whom he drafted or provided advice regarding federal income taxes, the identities of the persons who are responsible for his Web site, and all documents that he drafted or assisted in drafting for these persons no later than February 16. Conces refused to disclose the identities and documents as ordered by the court.

On February 23, the court held Conces in civil contempt and ordered him to report to the U.S. Marshal no later than noon on March 1, 2007. Conces reported to the U.S. Marshals today, and was taken into custody. According to the court’s February 23 order, Mr. Conces will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals until he complies with the order to disclose these identities and documents.

In April 2006, the court permanently enjoined Conces and his organization, the National Lawman Committee for the Public Interest, from preparing tax returns for others and promoting several tax fraud schemes. The court had concluded that Conces promoted “tax evasion by creating and selling materials designed to obstruct the administration of the income tax laws.” A copy of the April injunction order entered against Conces is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/txdv06243.htm.

“The Justice Department is not only committed to shutting down the tax scams that cheat the federal treasury and the taxpayers who pay into it, but also ensuring that such tax scams do not resurface later,” said Eileen J. O’Connor, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “Tax scam promoters who disobey court orders and refuse to comply with established court procedures risk severe consequences.”

The Justice Department has obtained injunctions against more than 225 tax fraud promoters and tax preparers since 2001. More information about the Justice Department’s efforts against tax scam promoters can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/taxpress2006.htm. Information about the Justice Department’s Tax Division can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/tax.

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