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Date: 03-13-2020
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:19-cr-00511-TDS
Judge: Thomas D. Schroeder
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Forsyth County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Clifton Thomas Barrett and Lauren M. Cataldi
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Winston-Salem, NC - United States of America charged Everett Witherspoon with filing false tax returns.
A former Forsyth County Commissioner pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns and failing to file a tax return.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Everette Witherspoon Jr., was a managing member of “Chris’s Rehablative [sic] Services” (CRS), a mental health services provider, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Witherspoon also co-owned and operated Quick Taxes LLC, and Fast Tax Inc., tax return preparation businesses in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, respectively. For 2013 through 2015, Witherspoon filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that failed to report his county commissioner wages and underreported income he received from CRS. Witherspoon also failed to file a tax return for 2012.
At sentencing, Witherspoon faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison for filing a false tax return and one year in prison for failing to file a tax return. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Witherspoon’s partner at CRS and Quick Taxes, Willie Lee Cole Jr., was sentenced in January 2020 to six months’ imprisonment for failing to file his tax returns.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Martin commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi of the Tax Division and Criminal Division Chief Clifton T. Barrett of the Middle District of North Carolina, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Outcome: Former Forsyth County Commissioner Pleaded Guilty to Tax Fraud.
03/04/2020 Minute Entry for proceedings held before CHIEF JUDGE THOMAS D. SCHROEDER in WS-2: CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING held on 3/4/2020. AUSA Cliff Barrett present for the Government. Attorneys Michael Grace and Christopher Clifton present for the defendant. Defendant present on bond. Defendant placed under oath and advised of rights/charges/penalties. Court reviews the plea agreement. EVERETTE LEVON WITHERSPOON JR. (1) pleads GUILTY to Counts 1s,2s. Remaining Counts to be dismissed at sentencing. Court finds the Defendant is competent to enter a guilty plea. Court accepts plea and Defendant ADJUDGED GUILTY of Counts 1s, 2s. Court orders the preparation of a Presentence Report. Sentencing set for 5/26/2020 at 02:00 PM in Winston-Salem Courtroom #2 before CHIEF JUDGE THOMAS D. SCHROEDER. Defendant permitted to remain out on bond.(Court Reporter Briana Bell.) (Engle, Anita) (Entered: 03/04/2020)
03/04/2020 Case as to EVERETTE LEVON WITHERSPOON, JR Reassigned to CHIEF JUDGE THOMAS D. SCHROEDER. UNASSIGNED no longer assigned to the case. (Engle, Anita) (Entered: 03/04/2020)
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Defendant's Experts:
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