CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jacqueline Mines, 66, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to a misdemeanor charge of willful failure to file an income tax return, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that in 2006, Mines founded a charitable organization named Helping Families and Children in America (HFCA), serving as president and CEO between 2006 and continuing through at least 2018. Mines maintained a checking account in the name of HFCA at Citizens Bank. In the calendar year 2018, she used approximately $61,477 from the account to pay personal expenses. In addition, in the calendar year 2018, Mines received $23,001 in Social Security income. As a result, and taking into account the $12,000 standard deduction, Mines’ gross taxable income in 2018 was approximately $72,478.00. However, she failed to file a federal income tax return or pay any federal income tax for the 2018 taxable year. The total amount of tax loss to the United States, including interest and penalties, is $18,842.71.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 5, 2023, before Judge McCarthy.
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