GREENBELT, Md. (Sept. 30, 2008)—James Hallmon, age 44, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, pleaded guilty Monday to mail fraud and filing a false claim, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
“The object of these schemes is to defraud the government and the taxpaying public. Willfully filing a false tax return is the same as stealing and there are serious consequences. Tax refunds are issued to taxpayers who are entitled to them. CI will continue to aggressively pursue those who file false tax returns to claim refunds for which they are not entitled,” stated C. Andre' Martin, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge.
According to his plea agreement, for the tax years 2005, 2006 and 2007, Hallmon filed nine federal corporate tax returns in the names of J&J Masonry, Inc.; Big J Trucking, Inc.; Big Jim Trucking, Inc.; Sunshine Trucking, Inc.; Black Alley Trucking, Inc.; Hallmon 1 Construction; Hallmon 33 Transport; and HHTTL Freight Trucking; in which he fraudulently claimed a total of $647,060 in fuel tax credits. Neither Hallmon nor any corporation owned by him purchased any fuel on which the tax refund claims were based.
Hallmon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for mail fraud, and 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine for filing a false claim. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus has scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Source: United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein