Alabamians Arrested on Missouri Tax Fraud Charges

MONTGOMERY, AL—Federal agents arrested Billy Ray Hall and Mark Murray, both of Houston County, Alabama, and Kimberly Johnson, of Barbour County, Alabama, today, based on a federal tax fraud indictment out of Kansas City, Missouri, George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, announced today. On September 21, 2011, a federal grand jury in Missouri charged Hall, Murray, and Johnson with conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing false claims for tax refunds. These charges stem from a fraudulent income tax scheme designed to illegally obtain federal tax money to reduce or eliminate an individual’s personal debt.

United States Attorney Beck stated, “Although these individuals were charged in Missouri, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are all aware of similar schemes in Alabama. We will not tolerate Alabama citizens being preyed upon by these individuals anymore than Missouri did. Citizens in the Middle District of Alabama should understand that no matter what they are told by the individuals perpetuating these fraudulent schemes, there are no legal programs where people can demand money from the IRS to pay off their own personal debt. I encourage anyone that has been duped into taking part in one of these schemes to contact the FBI at 334-263-1691. Anyone contacting the FBI should mention this Missouri indictment so the call can be forwarded to the appropriate agent.”