FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAX

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, (202) 514-2007

2005 TDD (202) 514-1888
WWW.USDOJ.GOV

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES TO

BAR MICHIGAN MAN
FROM PROMOTING ALLEGED
TAX-FRAUD SCHEME
Complaint Says Battle Creek-based Leader of
“Lawmen” Group
Tells Customers That Paying Taxes is Voluntary
WASHINGTON D.C. - The Justice Department has asked a federal court to bar
Charles Conces, of Battle Creek, Michigan, from promoting and implementing an
alleged tax-fraud scheme that is based on the false theory that income taxes are
voluntary. The complaint, filed in Grand Rapids in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Michigan, alleges that Conces conducts his activities through an
organization called the “Lawmen.” The lawsuit also seeks an order requiring Conces
to give the Justice Department his customers’ names, Social Security and telephone
numbers and mailing and e-mail addresses.

The complaint alleges that Conces helps customers to file so-called “zero” federal
income tax returns that falsely report no income, sells an attachment to be used on
zero returns, and sells frivolous letters, forms, and lawsuit papers for his customers
to use to threaten IRS employees and obstruct the administration and enforcement
of the tax laws. The complaint alleges that Conces promotes his scheme through e-
mail groups, web sites, an Internet bulletin board, seminars, and meetings of his
organization. He allegedly charges customers $25 to $330 for his scheme.

A federal court in Las Vegas barred a similar zero-income tax scam promoted by
tax resister Irwin Schiff, who later was convicted of multiple tax crimes. More
information about this conviction is available at: “The Justice Department is
committed to stopping the promotion of tax fraud,” said Eileen J. O’Connor,
Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “People who
participate in these schemes are buying themselves past due tax bills with interest,
penalties, and the possibility of more serious legal consequences”
This suit is part of a continuing nationwide crackdown on the preparation and filing
of false or fraudulent tax returns. Since 2001, the Justice Department has sought and
obtained injunctions against more than 120 tax-scam promoters. More information
about these cases is available at: . More information about the Justice Department’s
Tax Division can be found at: .

###

05-604