Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Nashville Field Office, announced that on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, a federal jury found Richard C. Mathews of Conway guilty of five counts of filing false tax returns and one count of interfering with the due administration of justice.
"This verdict sends a message that tax violations are serious crimes against the American public. The IRS is committed to investigate and recommend for prosecution those who provide false statements and corruptly obstruct the administration of our nation's tax laws," said Henry.
After a two day trial, a jury deliberated for two hours before returning guilty verdicts on all six counts charged in a Superseding Indictment filed July 11, 2012. According to the Indictment and testimony at trial, Mathews was self-employed operating a business soliciting members for a $99 joining fee into his system of making money by getting more members to join his online multi-level marketing network known as MMS and Wealth Team International (WTIA). The more people a member solicited to join MMS or WTIA, the more money the members and Mathews could make. Mathews stated on his federal tax returns that he had gross receipts of $22,201 for the five year period from 2004 to 2008, when in fact his bank records showed business deposits of $245,300.42.
Mathews is out on bond and continues to operate his businesses. He faces a statutory maximum of 3 years in the Bureau of Prisons and up to a $100,000 fine on each count. Mathews will be sentenced at a later date to be set by the court.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick C. Harris and Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Dempsey.
by making false allegations about the actions of the Special Agents and Revenue Officers of the IRS
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
