James T. Jacks
Acting United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

FORT WORTH TAX PREPARER PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT
AND IS REMANDED INTO CUSTODY

Faces Up to 18 Years in Federal Prison, Fines, and Restitution to the IRS

FORT WORTH, Texas — Joyce M. Simmons, d/b/a Diamond Notary and Tax Service, pled guilty on Friday to six counts of preparing and presenting a materially false tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced Acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Simmons faces a maximum statutory sentence of 18 years in prison, a $1.5 million fine, and restitution to the IRS. Simmons entered her plea before U.S. District Judge John McBryde, who remanded her to the custody of the U.S. Marshals. She is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge McBryde on October 2, 2009.

Simmons admitted that six of the returns she submitted were false and fraudulent as to material matters, in that each tax return represented that the taxpayers were entitled, under the provisions of the IRS laws, to claim exemptions, deductions, credits, or refunds, to which she well knew they were not entitled.

In plea documents signed and filed with the Court, Simmons acknowledges that the Court may order restitution for all amounts found by the Court to be due and owing to the IRS and not just the amounts charged in the indictment.

The case is being investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald C.H. Eddins and Robert A. Klinck.

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