FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1 , 2010

State Representative Arrested on Tax Charges

Florence, SC…Dr. Kristopher Crawford, a medical doctor in Florence County and member of the  South Carolina General Assembly, was jailed today following his arrest for failing to file income tax  returns when due.
 
South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators charged Dr. Crawford, 40, with four counts of  failure to file when due his individual income tax returns for  tax years 2004-2007 and three counts  of failure to file corporate income tax returns for his company, Crawford Medical, LLC, for tax  years 2005-2007. He is being held at the Florence County Law Enforcement Center pending a  bond hearing.  
 
The Department of Revenue investigation found Dr. Crawford was required to file individual income  tax returns for 2004-2007 as a result of having earned income in excess of one million dollars. The  investigation found that Dr. Crawford failed to timely file the required income tax returns when due  despite Dr. Crawford’s CPA making several requests for Dr. Crawford’s tax records.

Dr. Crawford was also the sole shareholder in Crawford Medical, LLC for tax years 2005-2007.  During that time period, Crawford Medical, LLC earned $976,084 in gross receipts requiring the  filing of state corporate income tax returns. Department records indicate Dr. Crawford was the  custodian of records and registered agent for Crawford Medical, LLC. He is accused of failing to  voluntarily file state corporate income tax returns when due and, again, even after requests were  made, failed to provide his CPA with the necessary records to have the tax returns timely prepared.
 
Upon conviction, in addition to all taxes due, Dr. Crawford faces up to 7 years in prison and fines of up to  $70,000 if convicted of the charges. 
 
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest.