NEWS RELEASE

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Public Affairs Office                    Phone (803)898-5464

Contact: Danny Brazell                 Fax  (803) 898-5446

                                            Email: brazeld@sctax.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 28, 2003

 Richland County couple arrested on tax charges

      A Hopkins couple who own a Columbia tax preparation service are being held at the Richland County Detention Center today after South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators charged them with tax fraud.

      Lucious Frierson, 37, and his wife, Debbie, 34, owners of Frierson Tax Service, 3948 West Beltline Boulevard, are each accused of preparing fraudulent state income tax returns in their tax business. Lucious Frierson, who also owns Midland Page & Satellite, is charged with six counts of assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax document and one count each of submitting a fraudulent tax document and criminal conspiracy. Debbie Frierson is charged with one count each of submitting a fraudulent tax document, assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax document and criminal conspiracy.  Lucious Frierson is facing up to 41 years in prison and fines of up to $23,500 and Debbie Frierson 11 years in prison and fines of up to $11,000 if convicted of the charges.

      The Friersons are accused of submitting 2001 state income tax returns for some of their clients claiming bogus deductions to increase the size of the client's refund. They also are accused of providing fraudulent tax information on their own 2001 state income tax return. The Department has not yet calculated the total tax liability from the the Friersons. While no other arrests are anticipated, the Department of Revenue's investigation into the Frierson's tax business is ongoing.

       The Department of Revenue cautions taxpayers to pick their tax preparer carefully, verifying the tax preparer's experience and tax preparation education by asking for documentation and references. Taxpayers should not sign or file a tax return with the Department unless they are sure of the accuracy of the information. The taxpayer is ultimately responsible for the information on the tax return.

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