Owner of seafood distribution business charged with bribery of a public official
VINH Q. TRAN, age 61, a resident of Cutoff, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count bill of information filed today for bribery of a public official, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the Bill of Information, from on or about August 2007 until on or about April 2011, TRAN bribed a public official of the United States Internal Revenue with the intent to influence an IRS audit being conducted of his seafood distributing business. TRAN paid $6,000 cash and other things of value to the public official.
If convicted, TRAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years, a $250,0000 fine, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Department of the Treasury, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.
(Download Bill of Information 
)
