CENTRALIA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR TAX EVASION AND LOAN APPLICATION FRAUD

Randy G. Massey, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on April 16, 2007, ERIC DEAN TROUTT, age 41 of Sandoval, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for his conviction of the offenses of Tax Evasion and Making a False Statement to a Financial Institution. Following his release from prison, TROUTT was ordered to serve a total of 5 years supervised release. As a condition of supervised release, he will be required to cooperate with the Internal Revenue Service in paying all taxes due and in filing tax returns that are due.

According to the Stipulation of Facts filed in this cased and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, TROUTT, a practicing attorney, had not filed federal income tax returns since a 1998 return, except for a false 2003 federal income tax return. He admitted that he evaded the assessment of federal income tax on his 2003 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return by not reporting approximately $200,000 he received as payment for legal services, by filing a false tax return, and by using a trust account to conceal the income. TROUTT used the unreported income to purchase luxury vehicles, real estate property, and luxury furniture as well as other various purchases, including credit card and student loan payments. TROUTT also admitted that he filed a false Uniform Loan Application with Old National Bank. TROUTT applied for a home mortgage with Old National Bank and falsified his loan application to influence the bank and gain approval of his mortgage loan.

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with the tax laws, you may report this activity by contacting the local Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation Office, in Southern Illinois at (618) 622-2160 or by mailing information to:

Internal Revenue Service

Fresno, CA 93888

Please include the following information, if available:

Name and address of the person you are reporting

The taxpayer identification number (social security number for an individual or employer identification number fora business)

A brief description of the alleged violation, including how you became aware of or obtained the information

The years involved The estimated dollar amount of any unreported income

Your name, address and daytime telephone number.

Although you are not required to identify yourself, it is helpful to do so. Your identity can be kept confidential. You may also be entitled to areward.

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Criminal Investigations, and the

Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with the tax laws, you may report this activity by contacting the local Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation Office at (618) 622-2160 or by mailing information to: Internal Revenue Service Fresno, CA 93888.

Please include the following information, if available: Name and address of the person you are reporting The taxpayer identification number (social security number for an individual or employer identification number for a business)

A brief description of the alleged violation, including how you became aware of or obtained the information The years involved The estimated dollar amount of any unreported income Your name, address and daytime telephone number.

Although you are not required to identify yourself, it is helpful to do so. Your identity can be kept confidential. You may alsobe entitled to a reward.