West Hartford Woman, New Haven Man, Charged With Tax Evasion

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that STEPHANIE ELLIOTT, 41, of West Hartford, and MICHAEL CARTER, 50, of New Haven, have been indicted for tax evasion.

This matter stems from an Internal Revenue Service investigation into high income taxpayers who have had little or no federal withholding taken out of their paychecks.  The investigation revealed that individuals allegedly submitted fraudulent W-4 forms claiming numerous exemptions and had no money withheld from their wages.

The six-count indictment against ELLIOTT alleges that, during the 2007 through 2012 tax years, she paid no federal income taxes on approximately $482,912 in income she received, resulting in a federal tax loss of approximately $100,011.

The three-count indictment against CARTER alleges that, during the 2010 through 2012 tax years, he paid no federal income taxes on approximately $254,332 in income he received, resulting in a federal tax loss of approximately $52,679.

ELLIOTT and CARTER are employed as nurses with the State of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The indictments were returned under seal by a federal grand jury in New Haven on April 9.  ELLIOTT appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Garfinkel in Bridgeport yesterday, and CARTER appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Smith in Hartford today.  ELLIOTT entered a plea of not guilty.  CARTER’s arraignment is scheduled for next week.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov