Harry S. (Sandy) Mattice, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, announced that Kimberly Cheryl Pittman, 38, of Chattanooga, TN, has been indicted by a Grand Jury, charged with 15 counts of filing false claims against the United States.  The indictment was filed on December 14, 2004, but was sealed until Pittman’s initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. District Magistrate JudgeSusan Lee on January 26.  Pittman was released pending trial on March 21.According to the indictment, Pittman caused 15 claims for tax refunds to be presented to the Internal Revenue Service by other individuals that she knew to be false, fictitious and fraudulent.  Most of the claims pertained to tax year 1999, with one pertaining to the 1998 tax year and one for tax year 2000.  The indictment charges that the refunds claimed range from $333.00 to $4,456.00.  According to the indictment, the total amount of loss to the United States as a result of the refund scheme is above $297,290. Pittman faces a maximum penalty of 75 years in prison and fine of up to $3.75 million, if convicted on all counts.The public is reminded that indictments contain only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the burden of the United States to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Davidson will represent the government.For further information, contact United States Attorney Mattice or Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia Davidson.

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