Home New Orleans Press Releases 2010 Former Lafayette Assistant District Attorney Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
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Former Lafayette Assistant District Attorney Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Defendant Avoided Paying Approximately $84,581.00 in Income Tax for 2003

U.S. Attorney’s Office November 10, 2010
  • Western District of Louisiana (318) 676-3641

LAFAYETTE, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that former Assistant District Attorney Joseph Floyd Johnson, age 50, of Lafayette, La., entered a plea of guilty to one count of tax evasion before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik today in Lafayette. During all times addressed in the filed Bill of Information, Johnson was employed as an Assistant District Attorney with the Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office and maintained a private law practice.

The factual basis states that Johnson failed to file his federal income tax return for the year 2003 after receiving income derived from his salary at the District Attorney’s Office and his private law practice totaling $259,371.00. This resulted in the defendant not paying approximately $84,581.00 in federal income tax for the calendar year 2003. In order to avoid the payment of taxes, interest and penalties due on assets and income, Johnson purchased property and placed it in someone else's name. He falsely advised federal agents that the home was owned by his brother, when in reality, all of the property and the home belonged to him. In an attempt to conceal income from his private practice, Johnson failed to maintain an operating account. He deposited proceeds from his law practice into a client trust account to conceal the nature of the funds. In addition, Johnson knowingly failed to file income tax returns for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley stated: “Honest taxpayers lose out when someone evades paying taxes that are owed. Our office and the IRS are working diligently to identify those who do not comply with the tax laws and will hold them accountable.”

Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, James C. Lee, stated: “Today’s announcement represents the latest chapter in the longstanding commitment of the Department of Justice, FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, to ensure that those entrusted to serve the public do so without reaping unlawful gain. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to vigorously pursue those who intentionally evade the tax laws. All income, regardless of the source, is fully taxable and the Special Agents of the IRS are committed to investigate and recommend for prosecution those who do not fully pay their fair share.”

At sentencing, Johnson faces up to five years in prison, a $100,000.00 fine, and a mandatory minimum term of not less than two years and not more than three years’ supervised release following confinement.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by U. S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley.

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