NEWS RELEASE

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Public Affairs Office

Contact: Danny Brazell

Phone: (803) 898-5464

Email: brazeld@sctax.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 6, 2005

Richland County Woman Jailed on Tax Fraud Charges

A Richland County woman was jailed earlier today after South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators charged her with state income tax fraud.

Essence Russell, 24, of Columbia, is charged with one count each of willfully disclosing a false tax document, willfully assisting in the presentation of a false tax document and criminal conspiracy. She remains in the Alvin F. Glenn Detention Center on a $15,000 surety bond.

Russell is accused of submitting a fraudulent W-2 form on her 2004 state income tax return, indicating she had earned income from a company where she had not worked. She also is accused of assisting others in the preparation of fraudulent W-2 forms with the intent to receive illegal tax refunds. She is facing up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $10,500 if convicted of the charges.

The department's investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.  The Richland County Probations and Parole Office assisted the revenue department in Russell's arrest.

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