MACON - An Albany man was indicted on bankruptcy fraud charges this month by a federal grand jury, said Charles “Charlie" Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Timothy Wayne Giles, 39, of Albany, GA was indicted on one count of False Bankruptcy Declaration for allegedly making false statements in a bankruptcy petition and one count of False Statements Under Oath in Bankruptcy for allegedly making false statements under oath at a 341 Creditors meeting. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Mr. Giles faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count.
“Citizens need to be aware that any fraud or falsehood in connection with bankruptcy undermines the integrity of the system," said Charles “Charlie" Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “Bankruptcy provides important and necessary protections for those who honestly seek it in times of need. The abuse of that shelter endangers its reliability and does a disservice to creditors, debtors, and the general public. My office will continue to work aggressively with the United States Trustee and our law enforcement partners to protect the fair and legal operation of this financial safety net."
The case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Trustee’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
