GREENBELT, Md. (Jan. 16, 2009)—U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced James Hallmon, age 44, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, today to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for mail fraud and filing a false claim with the IRS, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Titus also ordered Hallmon to pay restitution of $343,967.
“Tax refunds are issued to taxpayers who are entitled to them. IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to aggressively pursue those who file false tax returns to claim tax refunds for which they are not entitled. Willfully filing a false tax return is the same as stealing and there are serious consequences.” 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 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.
Source: United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein