Morgan County Sheriff Agrees to Plead Guilty to Failure to File a Tax Return

BIRMINGHAM – Morgan County Sheriff ANA WOODARD FRANKLIN has been charged in a one-count information charging failure to file a tax return announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman.

A one-count information filed in United States District Court today, charges  ANA WOODARD FRANKLIN, 54, of Hartsell, with willfully failing to file a personal income tax return for tax year 2015. 

“We expect all of our citizens, to include and especially our public officials to promptly and accurately file their tax returns,” Town said.  “The Department of Justice will continue to federally charge those who fail to do so.  We appreciate the investigative work of IRS-CID and FBI Birmingham.”

"As we approach the tax filing season, this case should be an example of what happens when you fail to file and pay your taxes,” Holloman said.  “Doing so may subject you to significant penalties,  fines,  and the possibility of jail time.”

The penalty for willfully failing to file a tax return is a maximum of 1 year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. 

IRS-CID investigated the case along with FBI Birmingham. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey is prosecuting.