Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham announced today that former state Representative Mary Jeanette Jamieson was indicted on two counts of income tax evasion by the Fulton County Grand Jury. The indictment was presented to the Grand Jury on Friday, July 24, 2009, and the state was notified this morning that the indictment was true-billed, or returned, by the Grand Jury. Each count of income tax evasion carries a possible sentence upon conviction of one to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $100,000.00.

Count 1 of the indictment alleges that during calendar year 2006, Jamieson had at least $127,000 in adjusted gross income, including income from her tax return preparation business as well as over $14,000 in income from her service as a member of the General Assembly, that Jamieson only had $61.68 withheld from her income for state income tax purposes, and that she failed to file a state income tax return for calendar year 2006 as required by state law.

Count 2 of the indictment alleges that during calendar year 2007, Jamieson had at least $61,000 in adjusted gross income, including income from her tax return preparation business as well as over $15,000 in income from her service as a member of the General Assembly, that Jamieson only had $85.08 withheld from her income for state income tax purposes, and that she failed to file a state income tax return for calendar year 2007 as required by state law.

According to other public documents, including a State Tax Execution filed against Jamieson in Stephens County on February 22, 2008, Jamieson also had arrearages for state income tax for the calendar years 1998 through 2005, totaling taxes owed, interest and penalties of over $45,000.00. That lien was satisfied by Jamieson subsequent to the execution being filed, with the satisfaction of the lien being filed in Stephens County on April 23, 2008.

The case was investigated by Staci Guest, Director of the Litigation and Investigations Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue, and Special Agent Brian Whidby of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Greg Lohmeier.

Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.