Greensboro, NC – Anna Mills Wagoner, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina announced today that an increasing number of criminal tax prosecutions in the Middle District of North Carolina suggest a growing problem with individuals who think they can cheat the United States Government. The United States Attorney’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division have partnered to combat the problem.

“The prosecution of individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system. We should not expect the honest taxpayer to foot the bill for those who hide income from the IRS,” said Reginael D. McDaniel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Office Criminal Investigation Division.

The following cases from the 24 counties comprising the Middle District of North Carolina were investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office during the last year:

• LOUIE GEORGE SINCLAIR, 53, of Durham, North Carolina was sentenced on February 8, 2008, in federal court in Winston-Salem to eighteen months in prison as a result of filing false federal income tax returns during a wire fraud scheme. Sinclair was also ordered to make restitution to the United States Department of the Treasury in the amount of $62,203. Sinclair filed fraudulent returns for a friend without her knowledge, inflating medical and employment expenses and requesting large refunds.
• SUSAN ROSEANNE SMITH, 59, of Jamestown, North Carolina was sentenced on February 6, 2008, to 33 months in prison for not reporting her true income on her federal income tax return. SMITH deliberately understated her income so she would not have to pay her taxes. Smith was ordered to pay the United States Department of Treasury $141,687.15 in restitution.
• PAUL F. CALLOWAY, JR, 56, of Greensboro, North Carolina was sentenced on January 7, 2008 to 33 months in prison for filing false income tax returns. Calloway provided accounting service to Family Focus, Inc. which did business in Greensboro as the Imani Institute Charter Middle School. Calloway embezzled school funds, diverting them to his personal accounts. Calloway was ordered to pay the United States Department of Treasury restitution of $298,199.56.
• RONALD LEE TRUESDALE, 60, of Greensboro, North Carolina was sentenced on July 5, 2007 to 11 months in prison for failure to file a tax return. Truesdale owned and operated Commercial Distribution and Sales, Inc. a business that provided wholesale and retail goods to commercial and residential clients. Truesdale deposited corporate receipts into his personal brokerage account, using the proceeds to purchase several luxury automobiles and a residence. Truesdale was ordered to pay $359,810.00 restitution to the United States Department of Treasury.
• MARCELLUS THOMAS, 44, of High Point, NC was indicted on federal income tax charges on January 28, 2008. The thirteen count indictment charges Thomas with preparing and presenting false federal income tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of twelve clients for the tax years 2002-2004. Each count alleges Thomas illegally claimed gross receipts from operating a business the taxpayers did not own. (The public is cautioned that criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.)

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