Former Florida State Senator Sentenced for Tax Evasion

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Jeffrey C. Mazanec, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that Muriel Amanda Dawson, 55, formerly of Broward County, was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Dawson pled guilty on April 23, 2012, to charges of felony tax evasion and failing to file a federal income tax return (counts two and five).

During her guilty plea hearing, Dawson admitted that in calendar years 2004 and 2005, she received substantial income from third parties. Nonetheless, Dawson failed to file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service during that period. Dawson also admitted that she failed to file federal personal income tax returns from 2006 through 2008.

At all relevant times, Dawson was a Florida State Senator representing portions of Broward and Palm Beach Counties. In particular, during three years in which Dawson served as a state senator, Dawson failed to file any federal income tax returns and failed to pay at least $29,000 in federal income taxes, excluding penalties and interest.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Carlton.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.