sws4420
04-18-2005, 08:53 AM
As frantic taxpayers were rushing to meet yesterday's deadline for filing returns, a local IRS employee was facing charges he wantonly destroyed the records of numerous taxpayers - including elderly and disabled people who had sought his help - according to an indictment filed by U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan.
James Lewis, 52, of Windham, N.H., pleaded not guilty to two counts of destroying tax documents while working as lead clerk in a unit of the Internal Revenue Service's Andover Service Center, said Sullivan's spokeswoman, Samantha Martin.
Lewis, a 16-year IRS veteran, was in charge of processing tax filings with missing information such as Social Security numbers. He was also responsible for responding to taxpayer questions, including requests for help from elderly and disabled people.
But instead of doing his job, Lewis allegedly destroyed corrected W-2 forms, a charitable contribution statement, a copy of a taxpayer check to the IRS, a copy of a death certificate and letters seeking his help, among other records.
All this bureaucratic mayhem allegedy took place over a five-month period, from January to May 2003, according to the indictment.
Martin was unable to say how many taxpayers were affected or whether investigators believe Lewis was being lazy or had perhaps become unstable.
Also left unclear was whether the IRS Andover office was bracing for a stampede of irate taxpayers come Monday.
A spokeswoman for the Andover office did not return phone calls.
Lewis was released on his personal recognizance. His Windham phone number is unlisted.
His Boston attorney, Michael J. Liston, declined to comment on the charges. But heneedled the U.S. Attorney's office.
"They always like to do something on April 15,'' Liston said. "But you'd think they would get something bigger than this.''
Depends on your point of view: If convicted, Lewis is looking at up to three years in prison on each of the two counts, plus one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=78742
James Lewis, 52, of Windham, N.H., pleaded not guilty to two counts of destroying tax documents while working as lead clerk in a unit of the Internal Revenue Service's Andover Service Center, said Sullivan's spokeswoman, Samantha Martin.
Lewis, a 16-year IRS veteran, was in charge of processing tax filings with missing information such as Social Security numbers. He was also responsible for responding to taxpayer questions, including requests for help from elderly and disabled people.
But instead of doing his job, Lewis allegedly destroyed corrected W-2 forms, a charitable contribution statement, a copy of a taxpayer check to the IRS, a copy of a death certificate and letters seeking his help, among other records.
All this bureaucratic mayhem allegedy took place over a five-month period, from January to May 2003, according to the indictment.
Martin was unable to say how many taxpayers were affected or whether investigators believe Lewis was being lazy or had perhaps become unstable.
Also left unclear was whether the IRS Andover office was bracing for a stampede of irate taxpayers come Monday.
A spokeswoman for the Andover office did not return phone calls.
Lewis was released on his personal recognizance. His Windham phone number is unlisted.
His Boston attorney, Michael J. Liston, declined to comment on the charges. But heneedled the U.S. Attorney's office.
"They always like to do something on April 15,'' Liston said. "But you'd think they would get something bigger than this.''
Depends on your point of view: If convicted, Lewis is looking at up to three years in prison on each of the two counts, plus one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=78742