February 10, 2010 - AUGUSTA, GA—Edward J. Tarver, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced today that Charlene Hughes of Waynesboro, Georgia, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah and charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286. At her initial court appearance today in the federal courthouse in Augusta, U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Leon Barfield stated the defendant would be released from custody once she deposited with the Court 10 percent of her $10,000 bond.
The Indictment arises out of a joint investigation by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into Hughes’ alleged involvement with more than 25 fraudulent tax returns which falsely claimed more than $90,000 in refunds between April 2006 and August 2007. The Indictment alleges that these fraudulent tax returns contained false Form W-2 information, including false employers and wages. United States Attorney Tarver stated, “As we near the height of this year's tax filing season, those who might consider preparing false tax returns should be aware of the severe consequences of doing so. This indictment emphasizes that the IRS, the FBI and the United States Attorney's Office will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to defraud America's tax system.”
Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten (10) years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
IRS-CI Special Agent Roger Garland and FBI Special Agent Paul Kubala conducted the investigation which led to the Indictment. The Government is represented in this case by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Stewart.
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