ATLANTA - Dr. Debra Johnson-Jordan, who claimed for seven years that she was a “private sovereign citizen" and not subject to federal income tax laws, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal tax evasion charge.
“Hard-working taxpayers should not have to shoulder the burden for people, like Dr. Johnson-Jordan, who fail to pay their taxes because of spurious claims that they’re above the law," said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “This case shows that there are serious consequences for those who intentionally avoid their tax obligations."
“The law is clear on the issue of taxable income and who is required to file and pay taxes: there is no gray area on the subject," said Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “We should not forget that the ultimate victims in tax fraud cases are the people of the United States - those honest taxpayers who diligently file tax returns each year. It is our hope that today's sentence will send a strong message, that schemes to avoid paying taxes are a violation of the Federal Tax laws and the consequences of such schemes can and will result in jail time."
According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the indictment, and other information presented in court: Johnson-Jordan, who practiced medicine in East Point, Georgia, failed to file income tax returns and pay federal income taxes from at least 1997 to 2014. Johnson-Jordan maintained she was exempt from paying federal income taxes despite earnings in excess of $1.5 million dollars because she claimed she was a “private sovereign citizen" and not subject to federal income tax laws. She ignored numerous notices from the IRS explaining her tax liability and warning of criminal penalties if she failed to comply with tax laws. Despite these warnings, Johnson-Jordan sent correspondence to her employer, the IRS and the U.S. Attorney’s office raising frivolous arguments and continued to challenge her tax liability until she was indicted in August 2015.
Debra Johnson-Jordan, 58, of Winder, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, one day in federal prison, three years of supervised release, $100 special assessment, 60 hours of community service and restitution in the amount of $464,432.00 to the IRS.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Brown prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
