Richland County Resident Arrested on Multiple Tax Evasion Charges

Columbia, SC (May 17, 2013) --- SC Department of Revenue investigators today arrested Hopkins resident Michelle Roach on four counts of charges related to tax evasion.

Roach, 44, was charged with three counts of property tax evasion and one count of income tax evasion; she is currently awaiting a bond hearing at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia.

Roach owned two residential homes in Richland County during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 tax years. During those years Roach claimed both homes as her primary legal residence as she attested on the legal residence application to not receiving legal residence status on any other properties. By fraudulently obtaining legal residence status on her second home, Roach evaded paying approximately $3,652 in property taxes as required by law.

For tax year 2010, Roach earned income that required her to file a tax return, and although she did file, Roach failed to report $28,880 of income and pay the appropriate tax due to the state.

If convicted of the four charges, Roach could face up to 20 years in prison and/or up to $40,000 in fines.