BOSTON, April 16 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network– A New Hampshire man who worked at the IRS Service Center in Andover, Massachusetts was arrested today on a federal Indictment charging him with destroying taxpayer records.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and Kevin J. McGlynn, Special
Agent in Charge of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration,
announced today that a two-count indictment charging JAMES LEWIS, age 52, of
1 Colonial Road, Windham, New Hampshire, was unsealed today following his
arrest.
The Indictment alleges that LEWIS was employed by the IRS at its Andover
Service Center as a Lead Clerk in the Distribution Unit. LEWIS was
responsible for, among other things, processing taxpayer records, responding
to taxpayer inquiries and to requests for assistance from elderly and
handicapped individuals. Instead of fulfilling his duties, the indictment
alleges that from January to May of 2003, LEWIS destroyed and attempted to
destroy numerous taxpayer records. Such records included corrected W-2 forms
and letters from taxpayers and their representatives seeking assistance.
If convicted, LEWIS faces up to 3 years in prison on each of the two
counts, to be followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Treasury
Inspector General for Tax Administration. The case is being prosecuted by
Assistant U.S. Attorney George W. Vien in Sullivan’s Public Corruption Unit.
The details in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed
to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a
court of law.
