Innocent Spouse Tax Relief May Help Wife of Louisiana Mayor Guilty of Tax Evasion, Corruption
We all know that accepting bribes is not acceptable. Call it what you may, “gifts and gratuities”, but we all know that a person with a governing position, like a mayor, who accepts gifts and gratuities is basically accepting a bribe. When the bribe happens to be cash, or something of great cash value, it is still taxable. But because it is a bribe, the mayor decides to evade taxes instead. Where does this story end? I think you know the answer - many years of prison and a hefty fine. What happens, however, to his spouse? Does she go to jail too? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Our government, after all, is understanding. The IRS has an Innocent Spouse provision and some spouses may be cleared of their partner’s tax debt if they qualify for tax relief as an innocent spouse. Sometimes an individual makes bad decisions, like this Louisiana mayor below - and it is nice to know that if his spouse is innocent from tax charges, she will not be sharing in his prison time.Â
The mayor of Mandeville, La., pleaded guilty to honest services mail fraud and tax evasion.
According to court records, Edward “Eddie” J. Price III, as the elected Mayor of Mandeville, was a public official who was prohibited by state law from receiving gifts and gratuities from professional service contractors for the city of Mandeville and developers with business interests with the city. From 2003 to 2007, Price accepted numerous trips from the city’s engineer and a developer in the Mandeville, La., area to participate in expensive golf tournaments in Pebble Beach, Calif. These trips had a value in excess of $45,000. Price’s plea of guilty to honest services mail fraud included admissions that he illegally utilized money from his campaign fund account to pay various personal expenses.
In addition, Price failed to file a tax return for the 2007 tax year, evading taxes on his income as mayor as well as the value of the gifts and gratuities he received and funds he had taken from his campaign account.
The politician faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
“This investigation is another example where the teamwork between the IRS, FBI and the United State Attorney’s Office has brought justice to our community,” said IRS Special Agent in Charge Michael DePalma in a statement.
In the case above, we do not know have information on whether the mayor’s spouse qualified for tax relief as an innocent spouse.  If you find yourself suddenly in an unfavorable tax situation because you were / are married to someone who cheated or evaded taxes, and you feel that you are innocent, consult a tax professional to see if you qualify for Innocent Spouse tax relief. A tax attorney or IRS specialist can help you find tax relief today. Tax Resolution Services is the nation’s leading tax negotiation and tax mediation firm and if we can help you find tax relief today. Free tax consultation form online or call 1-866-IRS-PROBLEMS.
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