Public Relations Specialist Sentenced on Tax Charges,
Ordered to Pay More Than $200,000 in Restitution
- Michael Jackson’s Former General Manager Didn’t File Her Own Tax Returns -

     WASHINGTON - Raymone Bain, a public relations specialist and the former general manager of the late pop star Michael Jackson, was ordered today to perform 200 hours of community service and pay more than $200,000 in restitution on charges that she failed to file federal and District of Columbia income tax returns.

     The sentencing, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division, Jeannine A. Hammett, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and Stephen M. Cordi, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue.

     Bain, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty in June 2011 to two counts of failure to file federal income tax returns (Forms 1040) and District of Columbia income tax returns (Forms D-40). She was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay, who placed her on five years of probation. The judge ordered that Bain pay $165,658 in restitution to the United States and $36,764 to the District of Columbia. Bain must devote a minimum of 20 hours a month to her community service assignments.

     According to the evidence presented in court, Bain worked in the sports and entertainment industry in the District of Columbia and founded her public relations firm, Davis, Bain & Associates. Beginning in 2006, Bain became personal general manager for the performer Michael Jackson and president of the Michael Jackson Company. In that capacity, she was responsible for daily operations of the Michael Jackson Company, including financial, public relations and marketing tasks. Bain was compensated for her services.

     Despite earning substantial income, Bain knowingly failed to file her federal and District of Columbia income tax returns, and she failed to pay income taxes owed during 2006 through 2008.

     In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Tax DiCicco, IRS-Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Hammett, and Office of Tax and Revenue Deputy Chief Financial Officer Cordi praised the efforts of those who worked on the case from IRS-Criminal Investigation and the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue. They also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Menzer and Department of Justice Assistant Chief Attorney Karen E. Kelly, who prosecuted the matter.

 

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