WALDORF MAN CONVICTED FOR FAILING
TO FILE STATE TAXES

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced with Comptroller William D. Schaefer today that Thomas D. Johnson, of 2755 Wigeon Court, Waldorf, was convicted of Failure to File State Income Tax Returns, in connection with tax years 1998 and 1999. Johnson pleaded guilty to Failure to File State Income Tax Returns, and the Honorable Robert C. Nalley, Circuit Court for Charles County, sentenced Johnson to serve five years at the division of corrections, suspending all but six months commencing October 2, 2003. He also ordered upon Johnson's release from incarceration that he be on the maximum period of supervised probation of five years, and within 90 days of his release he must file all past due income tax returns (1996 to present) and make arrangements with the Comptroller's Office for payment of past due taxes.

In addition, Johnson is prohibited from engaging in the business of income tax preparation in the future, and may not engage in the credit repair and mortgage acceleration business without first obtaining the necessary state licenses.

During the mid to late 1990s, Johnson owned and operated an income tax preparation business, Thomas D. Johnson and Associates, formerly located at 3077 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf. The Comptroller's Office noticed that a large volume of income tax returns claiming falsified deductions were prepared and filed by his business on behalf of clients. As part of an ongoing investigation into the matter, it was also determined that Johnson and his business had not filed income tax returns for several years. Based upon Johnson's gross receipts for tax years 1998 and 1999 of $114,533.40 and $155,927.96, respectively, less cost of goods sold, the Comptroller's Office found that Johnson was required to file state income tax returns.

The case was referred by the Comptroller's Office, Compliance Division and investigated by the Maryland State Police and the Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division.

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