Former Owner and Operator of Jannah Healthcare Charged with Tax Evasion

Matthew D. Krueger, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District, announced that a federal grand jury in the district returned an indictment charging Latoya Joseph with three counts of tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. §  7201.

Ms. Joseph was the owner and operator of Jannah Home Health Care, LLC (“Jannah”), a home health business providing personal care services primarily to Medicaid recipients in the Milwaukee area.  According to the indictment, Joseph received more than $1.8M from Jannah in 2013, 2014, and 2015, but failed to file federal income tax returns for herself or the business for these years.  The indictment alleges that Joseph willfully attempted to evade and defeat the proper assessment and payment of income taxes totaling approximately $640,000.

In a separate indictment also returned today, the grand jury has charged Ms. Joseph with scheming to defraud the Social Security Administration in connection with disability benefits that were paid to a Jannah employee.

“These charges allege serious abuses of federal programs, including the failure to pay taxes on income earned by a federally funded home-health agency,” said U.S. Attorney Krueger.  “We are committed to prosecuting program fraud and tax cheating aggressively to protect federal funds.”   Added Chicago IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Kathy Enstrom: “Today’s indictment alleges the misuse of Joseph’s standing in the community as a person providing vital services to those in need.  IRS-Criminal Investigation remains committed to the investigation of those who violate the tax laws for their own benefit.” 

These matters were jointly investigated by agents of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, agents of the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, and agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General.  They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan H. Koenig.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which time the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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