FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 1997

LAURENS WOMAN ARRESTED ON TAX CHARGES

A Laurens County woman is in jail today following her arrest last night on tax charges.

Carlene Whitmire, who lives on Wilson St. in Laurens, was charged by the South Carolina Department of Revenue with seven counts of preparing fraudulent South Carolina income tax returns. She remains in jail pending a bond hearing later today.

Whitmire, who prepared tax returns for acquaintances, is accused by the DOR of claiming unsubstantiated tax deductions on 1996 state income tax returns. The agency began an investigation into her activities after a routine computer check by the DOR showed the returns prepared by her claimed unusually large itemized deductions. Whitmire was unable to provide documentation to DOR agents for the deductions, which apparently were claimed on tax returns without the taxpayers' knowledge.

The investigation is continuing and more arrests could be pending. The Laurens County Sheriff's Department is assisting in the investigation.

Whitmire is facing up to 35 years in jail if she is convicted of the charges.