WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Loganville woman faces a 54-count federal indictment for allegedly defrauding at least 26 people, primarily self-employed truck drivers, in a tax scheme.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia announced the indictment Wednesday against Diane Marie Poe, 62, following an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.
Poe is the owner of Genuine Financial Services, Inc., an accounting and tax preparation business located in Walton County, Ga. The firm provided bookkeeping, payroll and tax filing services for individuals working in the trucking industry.
According to the indictment, clients paid estimated payroll taxes to the company, but Poe allegedly collected the money without remitting it to the Internal Revenue Service. The charges stem from an investigation by the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
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The 54-count indictment charges Poe with 32 counts of bank fraud and 14 counts of failure to account for and pay over withholding and FICA taxes. She also faces four counts of failure to file a corporate tax return, two counts of making and subscribing a false return and two counts of federal program theft.
In addition to defrauding clients, Poe is accused of failing to file her own personal and business tax returns properly. Prosecutors also allege that she failed to pay payroll taxes for employees at Genuine Financial Services, Inc., where many clients were acquired through word of mouth.
Each bank fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, while federal program theft carries up to 10 years per count. Counts for failure to pay over taxes carry up to five years each, making a false return carries up to three years per count and failure to file a corporate return carries up to one year per count. There is no parole in the federal court system.
Federal authorities encourage anyone who used tax services from Poe or Genuine Financial Services, Inc. and believes they may be a victim, or anyone with information regarding the case, to contact FBI Atlanta at 770-216-3000.
Poe’s initial appearance in court will take place at a time determined by the court.
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