TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Paul A. Lehrman, an attorney in Tallahassee, was sentenced today to six months in federal prison for filing false income tax returns.

Lehrman, 58, had been awarded attorneys’ fees in connection with his successful suit against the City of Apalachicola in 2003. The City paid Lehrman a total of more than $118,200 in yearly installments between 2004 and 2006. In filing his 2004 Individual Tax Return, Lehrman failed to declare the City’s payment of $36,959. He also failed to declare $6,266 of the $39,546 he received from the City on his 2005 return. In his 2006 return, Lehrman failed to list as income the $42,315 payment he received from the City that year.

Lehrman’s conduct led to his indictment on three counts of filing false income tax returns for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 tax years. He pled guilty to those charges in April.

As part of his sentence, Lehrman will also be required to pay a $10,000 fine, as well as $28,832 in restitution.

United States Attorney Pamela C. Marsh praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, adding, "The investigation and prosecution of tax fraud are priorities of this office. We will continue to work diligently in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to insure compliance with the tax laws for the benefit of all of our citizens."

The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Christopher P. Canova.

Return to Top