NEWS RELEASE

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Contact: Danny Brazell              Phone (803) 898-5464

Public Affairs Office                       Fax (803) 898-5446

                                              Email: brazeld@sctax.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 28, 2003

Surfside Beach businessman arrested on tax charges 

      A project director for a Surfside Beach timeshare business is being held in aFlorence County jail today following his arrest on charges of state income tax evasion.

      South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators charged Nigel Kevin Russell, 41, a Myrtle Beach resident, with three counts of failing to report and pay state income taxes. He is being held at the Florence County Law Enforcement Center pending a bond hearing. Russell was arrested at the Florence jail where he was being held on federal charges unrelated to the tax charges.

       Department of Revenue investigators accused Russell of failing to file state income tax returns from 1999 – 2001. Russell told investigators he is a resident of Florida, but the Department's investigation showed he lived in South Carolina during the three years he is accused of failing to pay state income taxes. Russell reportedly had income of $738,532 during that period and his tax liability is estimated at $41,618.

      He is facing up to 15 years in jail and fines of up to $30,000 if convicted of all the charges.

      The Florence County Sheriff's Department assisted the Department of Revenue in Russell's arrest.    

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