OWNER OF SEAFOOD DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS PLEADS GUILTY TO
BRIBERY OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL
VINH Q. TRAN, age 61, a resident of Cutoff, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Court Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, to bribery of a public official, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, 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.
Upon sentencing, set for April 26, 2012, 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.
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.
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