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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, February 12, 2007

NASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA INSURANCE AGENT
SENTENCED IN FEDERAL TAX CASE

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced the sentencing of TED R. PINNER, JR., a self-employed insurance agent with American Insurance Group (AIG) - American General. Chief United States District Court Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced PINNER to 12 months and a day on Counts One and Two, to be served concurrently. PINNER was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $135,433.59 to the Internal Revenue Service. PINNER pled guilty to willful failure to file income tax returns.

According to filed documents and information disclosed in court proceedings, during the tax years of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, PINNER received gross income of approximately $249,700.00, $158,000.00, $140,700.00, and $155,900.00, respectively, which by law required him to file an income tax return for those years. PINNER was fully aware of his obligation to file said returns, but willfully failed to do so.

U.S. Attorney Holding stated, "No one is above the law. It doesn't matter who you are or how much money you make. You have to file your taxes and the failure to file your taxes can result in you going to prison. Mr. Pinner has consistently failed to file his taxes dating back to 1988. His willful violation of his duty has finally caught up to him and he has been justly punished."

Investigation of the case was conducted by Rodney Dickerson in the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U. S. Attorney Felice McConnell Corpening prosecuted the case for the United States.

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