A federal jury in Montgomery, Alabama found James Timothy Turner,
also known as Tim Turner, guilty late Friday of conspiracy to defraud
the United States, attempting to pay taxes with fictitious financial
instruments, attempting to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS), failing to file a 2009 federal income tax return, and
falsely testifying under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding, the Justice
Department, the IRS, and the FBI announced today.
Based on the evidence introduced at trial and court filings, Turner,
the self-proclaimed “president” of the so-called sovereign citizen group
“Republic for the United States of America” (RuSA), traveled the
country in 2008 and 2009 conducting seminars teaching attendees how to
defraud the IRS by preparing and submitting fictitious “bonds” to the
United States government in payment of federal taxes. Although the
evidence at trial revealed the bonds are fictitious and worthless,
witnesses testified that Turner used special paper, financial
terminologym and elaborate borders in an effort to make them look “real”
and more likely to succeed in defrauding the recipient. Turner was
convicted of sending a $300 million “bond” in his own name and of aiding
and abetting others in sending 15 other “bonds” to the U.S. Treasury
Department to pay taxes and other debts.
The evidence at trial also established that Turner taught people how
to file retaliatory liens against government officials who interfered
with the processing of fictitious “bonds.” Turner filed a purported
$17.6 billion maritime lien in Montgomery County, Alabama Probate Court
against another individual. Finally, evidence presented at trial
demonstrated that the FBI began an investigation after Turner and three
other individuals sent demands to all 50 governors in the United States
in March 2010 ordering each governor to resign within three days or be
“removed.”
“The jury’s verdict in this case sends a message that defrauding the
government and others through the use of bogus financial documents will
not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice
Department’s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. “Disagreement with the law
is no excuse for the real harm caused by these self-interested tax
defiers.”
“These sovereign citizen groups use these retaliatory tax liens and
fraudulent tax schemes as weapons against the United States and its
citizens,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. “It is only
the hard work of law enforcement that can stop these criminals from
using these financial weapons. I would like to thank the law enforcement
officers who worked vigilantly on this case to bring this criminal to
justice.”
“Those who create elaborate schemes and fraudulent tax elimination
tactics run a high risk of prosecution,” stated Richard Weber, Chief,
IRS-Criminal Investigation. “Mr. Turner’s attempts to thwart the IRS, as
well as the assistance and training he provided to others, was not tax
planning, it was criminal activity. IRS-Criminal Investigation is
committed to vigorously pursuing those who promote illegal financial
transactions designed to evade the payment of taxes. For those who would
consider similar behavior, let this case be a strong warning that there
is no secret formula for evading the payment of taxes, and no one is
above the law.”
Turner remains in federal custody pending sentencing. Turner faces a
potential maximum prison term of 164 years, a maximum potential fine of
$2,350,000, and mandatory restitution.
“The prosecution of individuals who intentionally impede the IRS by
submitting fictitious and frivolous documents, in an attempt to avoid
paying federal taxes, is a vital element in maintaining public
confidence in our tax system,” stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special
Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation. “Hopefully the verdict
will send a message to other individuals like Turner that this conduct
will not be tolerated.”
“This joint investigation exemplifies the government’s commitment to
investigate and prosecute those, who through tax schemes, attempt to
cheat and steal from the government,” stated Stephen Richardson, Special
Agent in Charge of the FBI, Mobile Division.
This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and
IRS-Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Tax Division Trial
Attorney Justin Gelfand and Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S.
Attorney Gray Borden.
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